Liquid dispenser having dispensing assembly

ABSTRACT

A liquid dispenser may include a container having an upper opening, a pump provided in the container, a pipe through which liquid discharged from the pump is transferred, a top plate having an upper surface over which liquid flows, a filter assembly provided below the top plate, a base provided below the container, and a thermoelectric element provided in the base to cool the liquid in the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/733,393 filed on Sep. 19, 2018, KoreanApplication Nos. 10-2019-0070278, 10-2019-0070284, 10-2019-0070282, and10-2019-0070281 filed on Jun. 13, 2019, 10-2019-0075692 filed on Jun.25, 2019, and 10-2019-0088430 and 10-2019-0088431 filed on Jul. 22,2019, whose entire disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

A liquid dispenser to supply liquid to an animal, e.g., a pet, isdisclosed herein.

2. Background

In recent years, the population of people raising a pet has increased,in addition attachment and interest in pets. Like most mammals, petsmust drink water to survive and maintain a biorhythm. Since pets areoften left alone and communication with their owners is difficult, thedemand for pet water dispensers or water supply devices has increased.

European Patent No. 3315022 A1, Korean Patent No. 10-1825334 B1, andU.S. Publication Nos. 2014/0053781, 2015/0313180, 2010/0095897, and2012/0216751 (hereinafter “related art”) disclose drinking bowls forpets. However, such drinking bowls have various disadvantages, which thepresent disclosure solves.

The above references are incorporated by reference herein whereappropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternativedetails, features and/or technical background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a pet water dispenser according toan embodiment with a float in an open state;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the pet water dispenser of FIG. 1showing a float in a closed state;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing a bottom of the pet waterdispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1D is a top view of a pet water dispenser showing a secondaryfilter provided over a bottom cover;

FIG. 1E is a top view of the pet water dispenser of FIG. 1D with thesecondary filter removed;

FIG. 1F is a top view of the pet water dispenser of FIG. 1 E with thebottom cover removed;

FIG. 1G is a bottom view of a pet water dispenser according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of a lid of the pet waterdispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of a base of the pet waterdispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a side sectional view of a dispensing assembly according toan embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an alternative float;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a filter top;

FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing assembly removedfrom the filter assembly;

FIG. 4C shows a filter top removed from a filter guide;

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of a filter guide;

FIG. 4E is a perspective view of a filter slot and filter tray;

FIG. 5A is a side sectional view of a pet water dispenser according toan embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a side sectional view from below showing the pet waterdispenser of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a side sectional view showing a container of the pet waterdispenser where liquid is stored;

FIG. 6 is a view of a secondary filter;

FIG. 7A is a view of a top of a bottom cover;

FIG. 7B is a view of a bottom of the bottom cover of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a base for a pet water dispenser;

FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing an upper frame of the base of FIG.8A separated from a lower frame of the base;

FIG. 8C is an exploded perspective view looking up at the base of FIG.8A;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a lower frame of the base and a centerplate removed from a heat sink;

FIG. 9B is a perspective top view of the base of FIG. 9A with the centerplate provided on the heat sink;

FIG. 9C is an exploded perspective view of the base of FIG. 9A under afilter assembly and top plate;

FIGS. 10A-10C show exploded perspective views of a fan, fan housing,heat sink, Peltier device, and Peltier metal, where FIGS. 10A and 10Billustrate two side views and FIG. 10C illustrates a bottom view;

FIG. 10D is an exploded perspective view of the filter assembly, and thetop plate, and an assembled view of the base without the upper and lowerframes, showing a battery;

FIG. 10E is a side view of a pet water dispenser with the upper frameincluded;

FIG. 10F is a side view of the pet water dispenser of FIG. 10E withoutan upper frame of the base showing a heat sink;

FIG. 11A is a view showing a bottom of the base without the upper andlower frames of the base and showing an enlarged view of a weightsensor;

FIG. 11B is a side sectional view of the base and showing an enlargedview of a heat sink;

FIG. 11C shows a lower surface of an upper frame of a base;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematic illustrating the controller of aprinted circuit board provided in the base and various elements coupledto the controller for operation of the water dispenser;

FIG. 13A shows an alternative arrangement of a fan, heat sink, andPeltier device according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 13B shows a bottom of a base according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 14A shows an alternative arrangement of a fan, heat sink, andPeltier device according to a third embodiment; and

FIG. 14B shows a bottom of a base according to the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Animals generally find running or moving water to be more desirable forconsumption, and there is also a need to provide fresh or clear water,rather than stagnated water, in a pet bowl. Referring to FIGS. 1A-1G, apet water dispenser 1 according to an embodiment may include a base 100on which a container or storage chamber 200 configured to store liquid(e.g., drinking water) is placed. A lid or lid assembly, which mayinclude a filter assembly 300 and a dispensing assembly 400, may closean upper opening of the container 200. Liquid may be dispensed from thecontainer 200 to the dispensing assembly 400, and may reenter thecontainer 200 after passing through the filter assembly 300.

The base 100 may be formed of an upper frame or shell 110 coupled to alower frame or shell 120, and electronic devices may be stored inside ofthe base 100 to power an operation of the pet water dispenser and coolthe liquid in the container 200. The upper and lower frames 110 and 120may also be referred to as upper and lower covers, respectively. A sideof the base 100 may include exhaust vents 115 to exhaust air, and abottom of the base 100 may include a suction grill 121 through which airenters the base 100 and discharge slots 122 through which air or liquidmay exit the base 100.

The base 100 may also include a user interface 114 through which a usermay input commands to select modes, temperature, etc. and which mayoutput information on status, temperature, etc. to the user. The base100 may also include a socket or terminal 118 through which electricpower from an external power source may be applied. The base 100 mayrest on weight sensors 124, which may detect a weight of liquid in thecontainer 200 and/or an amount of liquid in the container 200. Detailsof the weight sensor 124 will be described with reference to FIG. 11A.

The container 200 may also be referred to as a tank, and may be placedon top of the base 100. The container 200 may include outer and innerwalls 210 and 220. The inner wall 220 may define a space in which liquidis substantially stored, while the outer wall 210 may be spaced apartfrom the inner wall 220 to insulate the liquid within the inner wall220. A pump 192 may be provided in the container 200 to pump liquid tothe dispensing assembly 300, and a secondary filter 240 may surround thepump 192 to filter foreign matter from liquid entering the pump 192. Anupper rim 230 of the container 200 may define the upper opening.

A filter assembly 300 and a dispensing assembly 400 together may coveror close the upper opening of the container 200. The filter assembly 300may be provided on the upper rim 230 of the container 200. The filterassembly 300 may include first and second filter surfaces 312 and 325 ato filter foreign matter from liquid dropped from the dispensingassembly 400, and may further include a filter slot 325 in which afilter tray 326 (FIG. 2A) may be inserted to serve as an additionalfilter.

The dispensing assembly 400 may be provided above the filter assembly300 to be projected above a top of the container 200. Generally, liquidis circulated from the container 200 to a hole 421 of the dispensingassembly 400 via the pump 192, and liquid flows across a top plate 420,falls off an edge 420 a of the dispensing assembly 400 onto the filterassembly 300, and is filtered back into the container 200. As shown bythe arrows in FIG. 1A, liquid may be sprayed outward across an uppersurface of the top plate 420, and may cascade down from the edge 420 ato the filter assembly 300. A pet may drink liquid falling off the edge420 a of the dispensing assembly 400, or alternatively, may drinkshallower liquid flowing across the top plate 420.

A float 410 may be inserted in the hole 421. Liquid may be pumped by thepump 192 and flow through a pipe 192 b (FIG. 3A) communicating with thehole 421. Depending on a pumping capacity or rate of the pump 192, theliquid may push the float 410 upward so that the float 410 opens thehole 421 for dispensing, as exemplified in FIG. 1A. When the pump 192 isturned off, the float 410 may completely close the hole 421, asexemplified in FIG. 1B.

The lid, which includes the filter assembly 300 and the dispensingassembly 400, may be easily lifted from the container 200. FIG. 1D showsan inside of the container 200 when the lid is lifted off the container200, and a bottom cover 250 may be seated on a bottom of the container200. The bottom cover 250 may include a pump cover 251 to cover the pump192, and an outer ring 256 covering an outer portion of the bottom ofthe container 200. The secondary filter 240 may be seated on the outerring 256 of the bottom cover 250 to surround the pump cover 251.

The secondary filter 240 may be easily lifted out of the container. FIG.1E shows an inside of the container 200 when the secondary filter 240 islifted out and removed from the container 200. A pump outlet 192 a mayprotrude from an upper surface of the pump cover 251. A sterilizinglight or UV module 194 may emit ultraviolet (UV) light through acorresponding opening of the pump cover 251 to sterilize liquid in thecontainer 200. A side of the pump cover 251 may include ribs orextensions 254 defining openings through which liquid may flow to enterthe pump 192.

The bottom cover 250 may be removed from the container 200 by liftingthe pump cover 251. FIG. 1F shows an inside of the container 200 whenthe pump cover 250 is removed. The pump 192 may be provided in a pumphousing 292 formed on a bottom surface of the container 200. A wiringhole 226 may be provided to accommodate wires that electrically connectthe pump 192 to the base 100.

A metal 191 a may further be provided on a bottom surface of thecontainer 200. The metal 191 a may be in contact with a Peltier deviceor thermoelectric cooler (TEC) 191 b (FIG. 2B) mounted in the base 100,and the Peltier device 191 b and the metal 191 a may heat or cool liquidin the container 200. A liquid temperature sensor 193 may protrudethrough a bottom of the container 200 to measure a temperature of liquidin the container 200.

The container 200 may be transparent. An upper surface of the upperframe 110 of the base 100 may include a guide rib 113 to support theinner wall 210 of the container 200 and a guide groove 119 in which theouter wall 220 may be inserted. The upper frame 110 may also includescrew holes or bosses 117 a corresponding to recesses or holes in a fanhousing 170 described later so that bolts or screws inserted into thebosses 117 a maintain a position of devices (e.g., fan housing 170, heatsink 160) in the base 100. A leg 127 protruding from the bottom surfaceof the base 100 may space the base 100 apart from a ground or floor sothat air may be suctioned into the suction grill 121 and so that air orliquid may be discharged from the discharge slots 122.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the dispensing assembly 400 may include the topplate 420 and a plate support 430. The top plate 420 may be provided ontop of a plate support 430. The plate support 430 may have a pipesupport 433 through which the pipe 192 b (FIG. 3A) of the pump 192 isinserted. Details of the dispensing assembly 400 will be described laterwith reference to FIGS. 2A and 3A.

The filter assembly 300 may include a filter top 310 provided on afilter guide 320. The filter top 310 may include the first filtersurface 312, while the filter guide 320 may include the filter slot 325and the second filter surface 325 a. The filter tray 326 may include afilter material (e.g., carbon filter). The filter tray 326 may beinserted into and out of the filter slot 325. The filter guide 320 mayfurther include a guide surface 322 provided below the first filtersurface 312. The guide surface 322 may guide liquid dropped through thefirst filter surface 312 to the filter slot 325. The filter top 310 andfilter guide 320 may have inclined walls 313 and 323 that are placed onand protrude outward beyond the upper rim 230 of the container 200 tocatch liquid falling from the dispensing assembly 400.

The filter top 310 and filter guide 320 may have inner holes or openings311 and 321. The top plate 420 and plate support 430 may cover theopenings 311 and 321 of the filter top 310 and filter guide 320. Detailsof the filter assembly 300 will be described with reference to FIGS.4A-4D.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an exterior of the base 100 may be formedby the upper and lower frames 110 and 120, and an inner space of thebase 100 may include a Peltier device 191 b, a heat sink 160, and a fan180 used to heat or cool liquid in the container 200. The fan 180 may beprovided on the lower frame 120 above the suction grill 121. A fanhousing 170 may be provided to surround the fan 180. The heat sink 160may include heat dissipation fins provided on the fan housing 170 and aheat dissipation plate 161. The Peltier device 191 b, sterilizing light194, and liquid temperature sensor 193 (FIG. 1F) may be mounted on theheat dissipation plate 161.

The metal 191 a may be provided on the Peltier device 191 b, and mayserve as a heat transferring plate or heat sink. The Peltier device 191b may be powered to heat up or cool down the liquid, and the fan 180 mayexhaust cool or hot air accordingly out of the vents 115. In addition,the fan 180 may suction ambient air into the base 100 through thesuction grill 121 to cool down the heat sink 160 and/or a bottom side ofthe Peltier device 191 b during a liquid cooling process.

A plurality of plates 130, 140, and/or 150 may be provided between theheat sink 160 and upper frame 110. The plates 130, 140, and 150 may bereferred to as heat sink isolation plates or insulating plates, and willbe described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 9A-9C. The plates130, 140, and 150, the upper frame 110, and the bottom of the container200 may all include openings through which the sterilizing light 194,liquid temperature sensor 193, and metal 191 a mounted on the heat sink160 may be exposed to the liquid in the container 200. The outer wall210 of the container 200 may be inserted into the guide groove 119, theinner wall 220 may be provided within the guide rib 113, and the bottomof the container 200 may be configured to fit within an opening 112 a ofthe upper frame 110. Details of a bottom of the container 200 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 5C.

The pet water dispenser 1 may have a sleek and efficient design to cooland dispense flowing water to a pet. The top plate 420, plate support430, filter guide 320, container 200, secondary filter 240, bottom cover250, and upper and lower frames 110 and 120 of the base 100 may be madeof Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic, thermoplastic, orpolycarbonate (PC). The filter top 320 and the secondary filter 240 maybe made of metal (e.g., stainless steel) or alternatively thermoplastic.The top plate 420 may have a metal or ceramic coating, or alternativelymay be made completely out of metal (e.g., stainless steel).

The outer and inner walls 210 and 220 of the container 200 may betransparent, while the upper rim 230 of the container, the top plate420, plate support 430, filter top 310, filter guide 320, secondaryfilter 240, bottom cover 250, and upper and lower frames 110 and 120 ofthe base 100 may be opaque. In an alternatively embodiment, the outerand inner walls 210 and 220 of the container 200 may be made of glass,and the upper rim 230, the top plate 420, plate support 430, filter top310, filter guide 320, secondary filter 240, bottom cover 250, and upperand lower frames 110 and 120 may be made of stainless steel or may becoated with ceramic to give a sleek appearance.

In more detail, referring to FIGS. 1F, 2A, and 3A, the dispensingassembly 400 may include an uppermost surface of a lid. The top plate420 may be provided above a central portion of the container 200, andthe plate support 430 may be partially inserted into the container 200.The plate support 430 may be bonded or welded to the top plate 420, orthe top plate 420 may be pressed-fitted onto the plate support 430. Theplate support 430 may have a hole 431 provided below the hole 421 of thetop plate 420.

An upper surface of the top plate 420 may be inclined or sloped upwardtoward the hole 421, and may also be inclined or sloped upward towardthe edge 420 a of the top plate 420. There may be a predetermined angleor inclination of the upper surface toward the edge 420 a with respectto a horizontal axis parallel to the floor. The predetermined angle ofthe upper surface may be between 0° and 45° (e.g., 2°). The inclinationof the upper surface of the top plate 420 may be constant.Alternatively, the upper surface of the top plate 420 may have a concavecurvature to facilitate a collection of liquid. As another alternative,the upper surface of the top plate 420 may be inclined downward towardthe outer edge 420 a to facilitate a falling of liquid off the outeredge 420 a of the top plate 420. The dispensing assembly 400 exemplifiedin the figures may be easily swapped with an alternative dispensingassembly to suit different species of pets.

The outer edge 420 a of the top plate 420 may be curved to allow liquidto easily roll off the outer edge of the top plate 420. The uppersurface of the top plate 420 may be a smooth surface. The upper surfaceof the top plate 420 may be manufactured to be a hydrophobic surface tofacilitate movement of liquid flowing over the upper surface, but is notlimited thereto. The top plate 420 may be made of metal or plastic.Although the top plate 420 is illustrated as a disc, it may be formed ina different shape. For example, the top plate 420 may be formed in arectangular plate shape, a hexagonal shape, or a triangular plate shape.Alternatively or in addition thereto, the top plate 420 may includeoptional ribs or guide grooves to guide a flow of liquid across theupper surface of the top plate 420.

When the pump 192 is turned off, liquid may pool near a rim of the hole421 and may not be recovered back through the hole 421 due to aninclined surface around the rim of the hole 421. The inclined surfacearound the rim of the hole 421 may prevent a backflow of liquid backinto the pipe 192 b. Alternatively, the top plate 420 may be configuredsuch that a surface or rim near the hole 421 is inclined downward, andthe hole 421 may have a larger width or diameter than width of the pipe192 b. In such a configuration, liquid remaining on the top plate 420after the pump 192 is turned off may be recovered back through the hole421 into the container 200. As another alternative, the top plate 420may be curved or inclined downward from the hole 421 to the outer edge420 a, and when the pump 192 is turned off, liquid remaining on the topplate 420 may continue to fall off the outer edge of the top plate 420.

Although the hole 421 is shown to be at a center of the top plate 420, aposition of the hole 421 is not limited thereto and may be provided atother locations. A position of the hole 431 of the support plate 430 maycorrespond to a position of the hole 421 of the top plate 420. Aposition of the pump outlet 192 a may correspond to a position of alower end of the pipe support 433. The holes 421 and 431 may have widthsor diameters equal to an inner width or diameter of the pipe support433. Alternatively, upper portions or heads of the holes 421 and 431 mayhave diameters that increase from lower portions of the holes 421 to theupper surface of the top plate 420.

An upper surface of the support plate 430 may include spokes or ribs 432to support the top plate 420 and/or add rigidity to the dispensingassembly 400. Alternatively, spokes or ribs may be provided on a lowersurface of the top plate 420. The spokes may be supporting ribs thathave an angle of inclination equal to the predetermined angle ofinclination of the top plate 420. The support plate 430 may be easilydetached or removed from a filter top 310 of the filter assembly, andthe dispensing assembly 400 may be easily swapped with anotherdispensing assembly 400 having a differently shaped top plate 420.

A lower surface of the support plate 430 may include a protrudingportion 434 configured to fit into a rim or flange 324 of the filterassembly 300 and to lower a center of gravity of the support plate 430.A circumference of the protruding portion 434 may be substantially thesame or slightly smaller than a circumference of the opening 311 of thefilter top 310 such that the dispensing assembly 400 sits on the filterassembly 300 and an inside of the container 200 is substantively sealedfrom ambient temperature. The protruding portion 434 may couple to or toseal openings 311 and 321 of the filter top 310 and filter guide 320described later.

The pipe support 433 may extend from a bottom surface of the protrudingportion 434 below the hole 431 into the container 200. The pipe support433 may be a hollow cylinder or cylindrical shell. The pipe 192 b mayhave an inlet connected to the pump outlet 192 a, extend through apassage of the pipe support 433, and have an outlet connected to or incommunication with the holes 421 and 431 of the top plate 420 and theplate support 430.

The pipe 192 b may be flexible, and the pipe support 433 may support thepipe 192 b to extend in a vertical direction. Alternatively or inaddition thereto, the flexible pipe 192 b may be curved to have aplurality of U-shaped bends over the metal 191 b of the Peltier device191 a before extending through the pipe support 433 so that liquidflowing through the pipe 192 b may be additionally heated or cooled bythe metal 191 b.

Alternatively, the pipe 192 b may be formed of a rigid material, inwhich case, the pipe support 433 may primarily serve to protect the pipe192 b instead of supporting the pipe 192 b. In such an alternativeembodiment, the pipe support 433 may be optional. In another embodiment,the pipe 192 b may be omitted, and the pipe support 433 may beconfigured to couple to the pipe outlet 192 a and serve as a pipe to thehole 421.

An inner surface of the pipe support 433 and optionally the holes 421and 431, respectively, of the top plate 420 and the plate support 430may have grooves. The float 410 may include a head 411, a stem 412, andengagement hooks or ribs 413 that fit within the grooves of the pipesupport 433 so that the float 410 may move up and down within the holes421 and 431. Alternatively, the ribs 413 may be configured to keep thefloat 410 at a fixed position within the holes 421 and 431, and thefloat 410 may serve as a diverter that remains partially inserted intothe holes 421 and 431 and does not move up and down.

The ribs 413 may be vertical extensions that are inclined outward from abottom end of the stem 412, and may form a V shape. Inner ends of theribs 413 may join at the bottom end of the stem 412 so that the stem 412may be easily inserted into the pipe support 430. Outer ends of the ribs413 may have optional hooks or vertical walls that fit within thegrooves of the pipe support 430. The ribs 413 may be pliable and bendslightly inward from the bottom end of the stem 412 so that the outerends may move toward the stem 412 and fit within the pipe support 430.

Referring to FIG. 3B, an alternative float 410′ may differ from thefloat 410 only in that the ribs 413′ may be vertical walls or platesextending from an outer circumferential surface of the stem 412. Outeredges or sides of the ribs 413′ may fit within the grooves of the pipesupport 430. As exemplified in FIG. 3B, there may be four ribs 413′provided at 90° from each other around the stem 412. The inner surfaceof the pipe support 430 may have four corresponding vertical groovesalong which the vertical sides of the ribs 413′ may move.

Referring back to FIGS. 2A and 3A, the stem 412 may have a width ordiameter that is smaller than a width or diameter of the holes 421 and431, while the head 411 may have a width or diameter that is larger thana width or diameter of the holes 421 and 431. The head 411 may resemblea dome or cap and have a semicircular cross-section. Alternatively, thehead 411 may have a truncated cone or trumpet head shape having a wideupper end and a narrow lower end. The stem 412 may have a T shape, andthe head 411 may be bonded or welded to the top end of the stem 412.Alternatively, the head 411 and the stem 412 may be manufacturedtogether as a single element.

When water is discharged from the hole 421 of the top plate 420, thewater may be sprayed between an upper edge of the hole 421 and a bottomedge of the head 411. A water film may be sprayed to cover the uppersurface of the top plate 420, and water may cascade off the edge 420 aof the top plate 420 into the filter assembly 300. Shapes of the head411 and the hole 421, along with a pumping capacity of the pump 192, maybe configured such that a horizontal (or radial) speed or velocitycomponent of liquid discharged through the hole 421 may be large enoughto overcome the predetermined angle or inclination of the top plate 420so that the liquid may flow over or drop off of the edge 420 a. Thefloat 410 may therefore serve as a diverter that changes a direction ofa flow of liquid from upward to horizontally or outward.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 4A-4D, the filter assembly 300 may define anouter portion of the lid. The filter top 310 and filter guide 320 of thefilter assembly 300 may be provided below the top plate 420 and platesupport 430 of the dispensing assembly 400 so that the filter guide 320may catch liquid falling off the outer edge 420 a of the top plate 420.The filter top 310 may be optionally installed. The filter top 310 andthe filter guide 320 may be welded, bonded, or adhered together, oralternatively the filter top 310 may be pressed-fit onto the filterguide 320.

The filter top 310 may be made of metal, and may include the firstfilter surface 312 and an inclined wall or filter guard 313. The filtertop 310 may also be referred to as a drip tray. The inclined wall 313may be a wall that is inclined outward from the first filter surface312. Liquid may fall onto the filter top 310, and may be prevented fromsplashing outside of the pet water dispenser 1 by the inclined wall 313.The first filter surface 312 may have a flat plate or ring shape, andmay include a plurality of through holes through which contaminants maybe filtered. The through holes of the first filter surface 312 may haveat least one of a circular shape, arc shape, slot shape, or otherappropriate hole shapes to filter contaminants, and a size of the holesmay be uniform or may be different based on the size of the contaminantsto be filtered.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the filter top 310 may include an inner rim314 defining the inner opening 311. The inner rim 314 may extenddownward from an inner edge of the first filter surface 312, and may beprovided around the flange 324 of the filter guide 320. The inner rim314 may have a diameter that is equal to or greater than a diameter ofthe flange 324. The inner rim 314 may maintain a space between thefilter top 310 and the filter guide 320 when the filter top 310 iscoupled to the filter guide 320. The flange 324 may protrude upward fromthe inner opening 311 of the filter top 310 so that the protrudingportion 434 of the plate support 430 may be inserted onto the flange324.

The filter guide 320 may be made of plastic, and may optionally have aninclined wall or guide guard 323 corresponding to the inclined wall 313of the filter top 310. The inclined wall 323 may be a wall inclinedoutward from a guide surface 322 of the filter guide 320. The inclinedwall 313 of the filter top 310 may have a similar or same inclination asthe inclined wall 323 of the filter guide 320 and may be provided on theinclined wall 323 of the filter guide 320.

FIG. 4B shows the dispensing assembly 400 removed from the filterassembly 300, while the filter assembly 300 is seated on the upper rim230 of the container 200. When the filter assembly 300 is placed on topof the container 200, the inclined walls 313 and 323 of the filter top310 and filter guide 320 may protrude outward from the upper rim 230,and a predetermined angle (e.g., 120°) may be set between the upper rim230 and the inclined walls 313 and 313. FIG. 4C shows the filter top 310removed from the filter guide 320, while the filter guide 320 is stillseated on the container 200.

Heights of the inclined walls 313 and 323 may be coplanar with the topplate 420 or may be less than a height of the top plate 420 tofacilitate consumption. Alternatively, heights of the inclined walls 313and 323 may be greater than a height of the top plate 420 to furtherprevent liquid from splashing outside of the pet water dispenser 1. Aspace or gap may be formed between top ends of the inclined walls 313and 323 and the edge 420 a of the top plate 420, and a size of the spacemay be configured to allow pets easy access to liquid falling from theedge 420 a of the top plate 420.

A bottom rim 327 may extend downward from a bottom of the guide surface322 and/or the inclined wall 323. The bottom rim 327 may be a verticalwall. The inclined wall 323 may be seated onto the upper rim 230 of thecontainer 200, and an upper end of the inclined wall 323 may protrudeout of the container 200. The predetermined angle may be formed betweenthe upper rim 230 and the inclined wall 323 of the filter guide 320. Thelid of the container 200 may be easily lifted out of the container 200by the filter assembly 300 to facilitate easy cleaning and refilling ofliquid.

When the filter assembly 300 is seated on the upper rim 230 of thecontainer 200, the filter assembly 300 and the dispensing assembly 400may together substantially seal an upper opening of the container 200 tothermally insulate the container 200 and prevent foreign matter fromdropping into the container 200. The filter assembly 300 may close anouter edge of the upper opening by being seated on the upper rim 230 ofthe container 200, and the dispensing assembly 400 may close an innerportion of the upper opening, as the protruding portion 434 of thesupport plate 430 may cover openings of the 311 and 321 of the filtertop 310 and the filter guide 320. The protruding portion 434 may beseated on the flange 324 of the filter guide 420.

The guide surface 322 may be a bottom surface of the filter guide 320,and may extend from an inner, upper portion of the bottom rim 327 oralternatively from a lower, inner end or portion of the inclined wall323. The guide surface 322 may be inclined to allow water to flowdownward toward an opening or a filter slot 325, similar to a rampsurface, as exemplified in FIG. 4C. The guide surface 322 may also beinclined or sloped inward from the lower end of the inclined wall 323toward the flange 324 and/or the opening 321 so that liquid is guidedtoward an inner edge of the guide surface 322 (see also FIG. 5A).

Liquid that is filtered through the first filter surface 312 may dropdown to the guide surface 322 and may be guided downward toward thefilter slot 325. The filter top 310 may be coupled to the filter guide320 such that the first filter surface 312 is spaced apart from theguide surface 322 and to allow free flow of the liquid. The guidesurface 322 may resemble a ramp that curves in a ring shape, with endsof the ramp being provided at a height lower than a middle portion ofthe ramp so that liquid falling through the first filter surface 312onto the guide surface 322 may be guided toward the filter slot 325 tobe further filtered and returned to the container 200. Since liquid maytravel along the guide surface 322 under the first filter surface 312,noise from water dropping directly into the container 200 through thefirst filter surface 312 may be reduced.

The filter slot 325 may include walls 325 b and 325 c protrudingdownward from the bottom of the guide surface 322 and the second filtersurface 325 a. There may be two side walls 325 b and a rear wall 325 cthat extend downward from the guide surface 322, and the second filtersurface 325 a may extend between the walls 325 b. An upper surface ofthe filter slot 325 may be an opening in the guide surface 322, whilethe a bottom surface of the filter slot 325 may be defined by the secondfilter surface 325 a. The second filter surface 325 a may be a plate andinclude a plurality of through holes through which liquid is filtered.Similar to the holes of the first filter surface 312, a size and shapeof the holes for the second filter surface 325 a may be adjusted basedon types of contaminants to be filtered.

A filter tray 326 may be placed inside of the filter slot 325, and mayhave an outer perimeter having the same dimensions as the innerperimeter of the filter slot 325. A front surface of the filter slot 325may include an opening through which the filter tray 326 may beinserted, while the side and rear walls 325 b and 325 c may house thefilter tray 326.

A filter material (e.g., carbon filter, mesh filter, porous filter,cardboard or accordion filter, strainer etc.) may be provided in thefilter tray 326 to additionally filter the liquid and to insulate thecontainer 200 when the dispensing assembly 400 and filter assembly 300are placed over the container 200. Liquid may fall onto the filter top310, filter through the first filter surface 312, flow along the guidesurface 322 of the filter guide 320, flow through the filter material ofthe filter tray 326, and flow into the container 200 via the secondfilter surface 325 a.

The filter tray 326 may include two side walls corresponding to the sidewalls 325 b of the filter slot 325, a rear wall corresponding to therear wall 325 c of the filter slot 325, and a front wall to seal thefilter slot 325. The filter tray 326 may optionally include wallsextending between the front and rear walls to hold the filter material.The filter tray 326 and/or the filter material may be easilyreplaceable. An optional handle may be provided on the front wall tofacilitate easy removal.

The top plate 420, plate support 430, filter top 310, and filter guide320 may cover the upper opening of the container 200 to preventcontamination of liquid stored in the container 200 and to thermallyinsulate the liquid in the container 200. The first filter surface 312may prevent foreign matter such as food on a mouth or snout of a petfrom falling into the container, and the filter material of the filtertray 326 and the second filter surface 325 a may further filter foreignmatter from the liquid before the liquid returns to the container 200.

The openings 311 and 321 of the filter top 310 and filter guide 320 maybe provided at centers of the filter top 310 and the filter guide 320.The flange 324 may surround the opening 321 of the filter guide 320 andinsert into the opening 311 of the filter top 310. The protrudingportion 434 of the plate support 430 may at least partially insert intothe openings 311 and 321 of the filter top 310 and the filter guide 320,and an outer bottom surface of the plate support 430 may rest on theflange 324 of the filter guide 320. The secondary filter 240 provided inthe container 200 may fit within the openings 311 and 321 of the filtertop 310 and the filter guide 320. More details on the secondary filter240 will be provided with reference to FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 5A-5C, the container 200 may be formed of theouter wall 210, the inner wall 220, and the upper rim 230. The inner andouter walls 220 and 210 may be molded as one piece (e.g., injectionmolded plastic), or may be manufactured separately and later combined byconnected top ends of the outer and inner walls 210 and 220.Alternatively, the inner and outer walls 220 and 210 may be injectionmolded together in halves (e.g., left and right halves each having ahalf of the inner wall 220 and the outer wall 210), and the halves maybe bonded or fused together.

The upper rim 230 may fit onto and over the top ends of the outer andinner walls 210 and 220. The outer wall 210 may include a steppedportion 211 leading into a recessed upper rim of the outer wall 210. Theinner wall 220 may also include a stepped portion 224 leading into arecessed upper rim of the inner wall 220. The upper rim 230 may beformed in an upside-down V-shape to be provided onto the recessed upperrims of the inner and outer walls 220 and 210. The upper rim 230 may beconfigured such that when the upper rim 230 is pressed-fit and/oradhered onto the recessed upper rims of the inner and outer walls 220and 210, there may be a seamless outer surface from the outer wall 210to the upper rim 230. The upper rim 230 may cover the connected top endsof the inner and outer walls 220 and 210, and may be detachable.

Alternatively, the upper rim 230 may be omitted. In such a case, theouter and inner walls 210 and 220 may not include stepped portions 211and 224, respectively, and shapes or inclinations of the outer and innerwalls 210 and 220 may be configured to support the filter assembly 300.When the upper rim 230 is omitted, the outer and inner walls 210 and 220join at upper ends to cover a space S1 formed between the inner andouter walls 210 and 220.

As another alternative, when the upper rim 230 is included, ends of theouter and inner walls 210 and 220 may not join, and the upper rim 230may serve to cover the space S1. In such a case, the upper rim 230 maybe further adhered or sealed to the stepped portions 211 and 223 of theouter and inner walls 210 and 220 to secure the outer wall 210 to theinner wall 220 and to seal the space S1.

The inner wall 220 may be cylindrical, while the outer wall 210 may beinclined outward from the top end of the inner wall 220. The upper rim230 may be inclined to match an inclination of the outer wall 210. Thecontainer 200 as a whole may have a trapezoidal cross section ortruncated cone shape having an upper end that is narrower than a lowerend, but shapes of the container 200 are not limited to a truncated coneshape. For example, the outer wall 210 may also be cylindrical, and theupper rim 230 may not have an inclination. Such a configuration wouldrender the container 200 cylindrical. When the container 200 has atruncated cone shape having a diameter that diminishes from the bottomend to the top end, a center of mass of the container 200 may be lower,and the container 200 may be stably positioned on the floor.

Lower ends of the inner and outer walls 220 and 210 may be spaced apartfrom each other. A space S1 may be provided between the inner and outerwalls 220 and 210, and air may fill the space to insulate the container200 and keep the liquid in the container 200 cool (or alternatively,warm). The inner and outer walls 220 and 210 may be a transparentmaterial (e.g., glass or plastic) so that a user may visually check aliquid level or a possible contamination of liquid in the container 200,while the upper rim 230 may be made of an opaque material (e.g.,stainless steel or pigmented plastic) to enhance aesthetics of thecontainer 200.

The inner wall 220 may also include a bottom surface including an outerbottom surface 221 and an inner bottom surface 223. The inner bottomsurface 223 may be provided to be lower than the outer bottom surface221, and a vertical wall or extension 222 may connect the inner bottomsurface 223 and the outer bottom surface 221. The inner bottom surface223 may be a circular recess within the bottom of the container 200 andrecessed downward from the outer bottom surface 221. The extension 222may correspond to a vertical wall or flange 112 b extending downward todefine the opening 112 a of the upper frame 110 of the base 100.

The inner bottom surface 223 may be closer to devices (e.g., Peltierdevice 191 b, heat sink 160) provided in the base 100, whereas the outerbottom surface 221 may be raised to be higher and further away fromdevices (e.g., center plate 130, heat sink 160) in the base 100 that maygenerate heat. There may be a gap or space S2 between an upper surfaceof the upper frame 110 of the base 100 and the heat sink 160 so as tofurther insulate the outer bottom surface 221 of the container 200. Theouter bottom surface 221 may be curved from the inner wall 220 to form acurved corner. Alternatively, the inner and outer bottom surfaces 223and 221 may be formed as a separate piece, and the inner bottom surface223 may be later bonded or welded to a lower end of the inner wall 200.

A diameter of the inner bottom surface 223 may be equal to or less thana diameter of the secondary filter 240. The inner bottom surface 223 mayinclude the pump housing 292 in which the pump 192 may be provided, andmay also include a wiring hole 226 through which wires of the pump 192may be inserted to connect to a printed circuit board 195 and/or abattery 196 provided in the base 100 (FIG. 10D) and to be describedlater. A sealant or gasket may be provided in the wiring hole 226 toprevent liquid in the container 200 from leaking into the base 100. Theinner bottom surface 223 may further include a Peltier hole or opening225 through which the metal 191 a on top of the Peltier device 191 b maybe exposed. The Peltier hole 225 of the container 200 may have a sizeand shape corresponding to a size and shape of an upper portion of themetal 191 a. A sealant or gasket may be provided in the Peltier hole 225to prevent liquid in the container 200 from leaking into the base 100.Although a circular metal 191 a and Peltier hole 225 is shown, theshapes of the metal 191 a and Peltier hole 225 are not limited thereto.For example, the metal 191 a and Peltier hole 225 may have a rectangularshape. The inner bottom surface 223 may further include openings orholes through which the sterilizing light 194 and the liquid temperaturesensor 193 may protrude, and a sealant or gasket may be provided in theopenings for the sterilizing light 194 and the liquid temperature sensor193 to prevent liquid from leaking into the base 100.

Referring also to FIG. 1F, the pump housing 292 may be provided near acenter of the inner bottom surface 223 so that the pump 192 may beprovided in a center of the container 200 below the pipe support 433,but positions of the pump housing 292 and the pump 192 are not limitedthereto. The Peltier hole 225 may be provided at a side of the pump 192having a pump inlet 192 c so that liquid enters the pump 192 afterhaving been heated or cooled by the Peltier device 192 b and metal 191a. The pump inlet 192 c may be configured to be adjacent to the metal191 a, and the Peltier hole 225 may be provided near or adjacent to thepump housing 292.

The metal 191 a may serve as a heat sink that directly contacts liquidin the container 200 and an upper surface of the Peltier device 191 b.The Peltier device 191 b may be mounted on a heat sink 160, and detailsof the Peltier device 191 b, metal 191 a, and heat sink 160 aredescribed later with reference to FIGS. 10A-10F. There may be a gaskethaving high thermal conductivity between the Peltier hole 225 andPeltier device 191 b to seal the Peltier hole 225 so that liquid doesnot seep into the base 100. The metal 191 a may also be glued or bondedin the Peltier hole 225 so that the Peltier hole 225 may be sealed. ThePeltier device 191 b may be provided directly under the inner bottomsurface 223 of the container 200 so that the liquid in the container 200may be efficiently heated or cooled before being suctioned into the pumpinlet 192 c. The Peltier hole 225 may be provided close to the pumphousing 292 so that water entering the pump inlet 192 c may be cooled(or heated) after passing over the metal 191 a.

The pump housing 292 may be formed of at least two walls extendingupward from the inner bottom surface 223. As exemplified in FIG. 1F, thepump housing 292 may have three walls to create a housing having aninner perimeter with dimensions (e.g., length and width) equal todimensions of an outer perimeter of the pump 192. A bumper or gaskethaving an elastic material (e.g., rubber) may be provided along an innerperimeter of the pump housing 292. The bumper may further secure andcushion the pump 192 within the pump housing 292.

A bottom surface of the pump 192 may also have at least one suction cupto secure the pump 192 to the center of the inner bottom surface 223.The pump housing 292 may be optional, and the pump 192 may attach to theinner bottom surface 223 via the suction cup. The suction cup may alsobe optional, and the pump 192 may alternatively be secured only withinthe pump housing 292 of the inner bottom surface 223. The pump 192 maybe a submersive or submersion pump.

The inner bottom surface 223 may also include a light housing 294through which light from a sterilizing light 194 may be guided. Thelight housing 294 may be a cylindrical shell surrounding an opening inthe bottom of the inner bottom surface 223. Alternatively, there may notbe an opening, and light from the sterilizing light 194 may radiatethrough the transparent material of the inner bottom surface 223 and beguided by the light housing 294 upward to sterilize liquid in thecontainer 200.

The sterilizing light 194 may be mounted on the heat sink 160 and/or acenter plate or disc 130 provided under the inner bottom surface 223.The sterilizing light 194 may include at least one light emitting diode(LED) or organic light emitting diode (OLED) that emits ultravioletradiation to sterilize liquid in the container 200. The sterilizinglight 194 may also include an LED or LED that emits visible light. Thelight housing 294 may have a cylindrical shell shaped to shield UVradiation from being emitted directly toward a user's eye's, and mayguide or reflect the UV radiation upward to sterilize liquid suctionedinto the pump inlet 192 c and/or liquid flowing over the pump cover 251.An inner surface of the light housing 294 may be formed of or coatedwith a reflective material. Alternatively or in addition thereto, thesterilizing light 194 may include a light emitting diode that emitsvisible light (blue light or yellow light), which may be diffused intothe liquid stored in the container 200 to enhance aesthetics.

A controller C in the base 100, which may be provided on a printedcircuit board (PCB) 195 (FIG. 8B), may control the sterilizing light 194to operate at regular periodic intervals. The user may also select whento operate the sterilizing light 194 via the user interface 114 and/or amobile application.

The liquid temperature sensor 193 (e.g., thermometer) may protrudethrough center plate 130 and inner bottom surface 223 to directlycontact liquid stored in the container 200 and measure a temperature ofthe liquid. The liquid temperature sensor 193 may be or include a probeprotruding into the container 200. Alternatively or in addition thereto,there may be a contamination level sensor protruding into the container200 or provided within the container 200 to sense a contamination levelof liquid in the container 200. The controller C may operate thesterilizing light 194 based on a contamination level sensed by thecontamination level sensor.

The inner bottom surface 223 may be optional, and the extension 222extending below the outer bottom surface 221 may be welded or bonded tothe center plate 130. In such a configuration, the center plate 130 mayinclude the pump housing 292 and the light housing 294. The center plate130 may include a light hole 132, wiring hole 136, and a Peltier hole131 (FIG. 9A). Details of the center plate 130 will be described withreference to FIGS. 8A-9C.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 6, the secondary filter 240 may be acylindrical filter or strainer made of a rigid material (e.g., metal orstainless steel) and may be easily removed from the container 200. Thesecondary filter 240 may be a strainer having a plurality of throughholes 241 to filter foreign matter from liquid. Alternatively, thefilter 240 may have a mesh structure. The secondary filter 240 mayfurther include upper and lower rims 242 and 243, respectively. AlthoughFIG. 6 shows that the upper and lower rims 242 and 243 do not havethrough holes, the upper and lower rims 242 and 243 could optionallyinclude through holes. The secondary filter 240 may be placed on thebottom cover 250 to surround the pump cover 251.

The secondary filter 240 may be cylindrical, as shown in the figures, oralternatively may have a truncated cone shape having a wider upper rim242 and a narrower lower rim 243 to increase the surface area formingthe holes. As an example, such a truncated cone shape may have a greaternumber of holes. The secondary filter 240 may be hollow on an insidewith upper and lower openings so that the pipe support 433 may be easilyinserted into the upper opening, and the pump 192 and/or the pump cover251 of the bottom cover 250 may be easily inserted into the loweropening.

A diameter of the secondary filter 240 may be smaller than diameters orwidths of the openings 311 and 321, and a height of the secondary filter240 may be smaller than a distance from a bottom of the container 200 toa top of the flange 324. The secondary filter 240 may not contact theflange 342 or the plate support 430 when the pet water dispenser 1 isassembled. Alternatively, the secondary filter 240 may be configured tohave a height that is equal to a height from the bottom of the container200 to a top of the flange 324 to provide additional support to theplate support 430. The secondary filter 240 may or may not be required.As another alternative, a height and diameter of the secondary filter240 may be configured such that the upper rim 242 replaces the flange324.

The pipe 192 b and pipe support 433 may be provided inside of the filter240, and the secondary filter 240 may serve to hide the inner bottomsurface 223 of the container 200, the pipe 192 b, and the pipe support433 to create a more uniform appearance of the pet water dispenser 1.When the secondary filter 240 is placed on the bottom cover 250, theupper rim 242 may at least partially overlap with the flange 324 of thefilter guide 320.

The plurality of through holes 241 may filter particles having a sizelarger than a size of the plurality of the holes 241. Similar to thefirst and second filter surfaces 312 and 325 a, a size and shape of theholes 241 of the secondary filter 240 may be adjusted based on types ofcontaminants to be filtered.

A size of the plurality of the through holes in the first filter surface312 may be larger than a size of the plurality of through holes in thesecond filter surface 325 a, which may in turn be larger than a size ofthe plurality of through holes of the secondary filter 240. Thesecondary filter 240 may filter smaller particles than the first andsecond filter surfaces 312 and 325 a. Alternatively, the size of theplurality of through holes of the secondary filter 240 may be largerthan a size of the plurality of through holes in the first and secondfilter surfaces 312 and 325 a to facilitate a flow of water toward thepump 192. The secondary filter 240 may be optional, and may beconfigured to have various heights and shapes.

Referring to FIGS. 1E, 5A, 5B, 7A, and 7B, the bottom cover 250 may bemade of an opaque material (e.g., pigmented plastic or metal) and may beplaced on the bottom of the container 200 to cover the inner and outerbottom surfaces 223 and 221. Since the container 200 may be transparent,the bottom cover 250 may cover the bottom of the container 200 to hidewiring inserted into the wiring hole 226, which may be visible under thetransparent bottom of the container 200, and may also hide the pump 192,light housing 294, pump housing 292, sterilizing light 194, and liquidtemperature sensor 193.

The outer ring 256 and the pump cover 251 may be manufactured separatelyand bonded or welded together, or the outer ring 256 may remain separatefrom the pump cover 251. In such a separate configuration, at least oneof the outer ring 256 and the pump cover 251 may be optional. The outerring 256 may have a ring shape corresponding to the outer bottom surface221 of the container 200, while the pump cover 251 may have a cap shapehaving a side surface formed of extensions 254 and/or a side surfacehaving a plurality of holes or openings to allow liquid to flow to thepump 192 provided under the pump cover 251.

A shape of the bottom cover 250 may be configured to correspond to ashape of the bottom of the container 200 within the inner wall 220.Although the figures exemplify a cylindrical inner wall 220, aring-shaped outer bottom surface 221, and a circular inner bottomsurface 223 to correspond to a bottom cover 250 having a ring-shapedouter ring 256 and a circular pump cover 251, embodiments disclosed arenot limited to circular shapes.

The pump cover 251 may protrude above the outer ring 256, which may bean outer or flat portion of the bottom cover 250. The pump cover 251 mayprotrude upward to form an inner space in which the pump 192, pumphousing 292, sterilizing light 194, and light housing 294 may beprovided. The pump cover 251 may have a cap or dome shape with a heightthat is equal to or higher than a height of the pump 192 and a lowerdiameter or width that is similar to a diameter or width of the innerbottom surface 223 of the container 200. A plurality of extensions orribs 254 may protrude upward from an inner edge of the outer ring 256 toform a side of the pump cover 251. The extensions 254 may be inclinedinward from the outer ring 256 toward the pump cover 251.

There may be a plurality of holes or openings formed between theplurality of extensions 254 so that liquid may enter the openings and besuctioned into the pump inlet 192 c. A size of the openings may belarger than a size of the through holes 241 of the secondary filter 240to facilitate a free flow of filtered liquid to the pump 192. A spacingbetween the extensions 254 may be varied. Alternatively, instead of aplurality of extensions 254, a side surface of the pump cover 251 may bea filter having through holes to additionally filter foreign matter fromthe liquid. In such an alternative embodiment, the size and shape of thethrough holes of the pump cover 251 may be smaller than a size and shapeof the through holes 241 of the secondary filter 240, first filtersurface 312, and second filter surface 325 a to filter finer particlesthan the secondary filter 240, first filter surface 312, and secondfilter surface 325 a. Alternatively the size and shape of the throughholes of the pump cover 251 may be larger than a size and shape of thethrough holes 241 of the secondary filter 240, first filter surface 312,and second filter surface 325 a to facilitate a flow of liquid to thepump inlet 192C.

A top surface of the pump cover 251 may include an outlet hole 252through which the pump outlet 192 a may be inserted. Alternatively, thepump outlet 192 a may be covered by the pump cover 251, and the pipe 192b may be inserted through the outlet hole 252. The top surface of thecover 251 may also include a light hole or housing 253 to guide lightfrom the sterilizing light 194.

As shown in view FIG. 7B, the light housing 253 may extend below the topsurface of the pump cover 251 to fit around the light housing 294 of thecontainer 200. As an alternative, the light housing 253 may be insertedinto the light housing 294 of the container 200. In such an alternative,an inner surface of the light housing 253 may be coated with an optionalreflective layer so that light may be dispersed throughout the liquid inthe container.

A bottom surface of the bottom cover 250 may include at least one rib orflange 255 that is inserted into the recession of the inner bottomsurface 223 to space the pump cover 251 apart from the pump 192 andprevent lateral movement of the bottom cover 250. The flange 255 and/orthe bottom cover 250 should have a weight sufficient to keep the bottomcover 250 on the bottom of the container 200. Alternatively, the rib 255may be provided at a position on the bottom cover 250 to space thebottom cover 250 apart from the outer bottom surface 221 of thecontainer 250. The bottom cover 250 may be made of an opaque material,such as metal or pigmented plastic. As another alternative, there may bea rib or flange extending upward from the inner bottom surface 223 orthe outer bottom surface 221 to space the bottom cover 250 and/or thepump cover 251 from the inner and outer bottom surfaces 223 and 221 ofthe container 200.

The secondary filter 240 may fit around the pump cover 251 and may beplaced on an inner portion of the outer ring 256. A widest width ordiameter of the pump cover 251 may be equal to or less than a width ordiameter of the lower rim 243 of the secondary filter 240. The outerring 256 may include an optional groove surrounding the pump cover 251in which the secondary filter 240 may be inserted and aligned to furtherprevent lateral movement of the secondary filter 240.

The outer ring 256 may cover the outer bottom surface 221 of thecontainer 200. An overall diameter or width of the bottom cover 250 maybe equal to or less than that of the bottom of the container 200. Sincethe container 200 may be transparent, the bottom cover 250 may serve tocover the pump 192 and any wiring or glue that may be visible under thebottom of the container 200. The secondary filter 240 and the bottomcover 250 may be easily lifted out of the container 200 to easilycorrect a displacement of the pump 192 or to clean the container 200.

At least one of the secondary filter 240, the outer ring 256 and thepump cover 251 may be optional. For example, the secondary filter 240may serve to cover the pump 192, and the bottom cover 250 may beomitted. Alternatively, the pump cover 251 may be omitted from thebottom cover 250, and the secondary filter 240 may be inserted into acentral hole of the outer ring 256. As another alternative, the pumpcover 251 may be provided without the outer ring 256, and the secondaryfilter 240 may surround and maintain a position of the pump cover 251.As another alternative, the secondary filter 240 may be omitted, and thepump cover 251 may include a plurality of through holes to filter theliquid.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B and 8A-8C, the inner and outer bottom surfaces223 and 221 of the container 200 may be placed on an upper surface ofthe upper frame 110. The lower frame 120 may be coupled to (e.g., snapfitted, pressed-fitted, bolted, screwed, or adhered to) the upper frame110. The upper and lower frames 110 and 120 may have cap shapes to forman outer wall or side of the base 100, along with upper and lowersurfaces, respectively. A lower rim of the upper frame 110 may include agroove and rib that are snap fitted into a corresponding groove and ribformed on an upper rim of the lower frame 120. The upper frame 110 ofthe base 100 may primarily serve as an upper cover, and may be snap fit,pressed-fit, screwed onto, etc. the lower frame 120 to create a spacewhere electronic devices and cooling elements (e.g., printed circuitboards 114 c and 195, proximity sensor 125, and heat sink 160) may beinstalled or provided.

An outer surface of the lower frame 120 may have a convex curvature orcurved bottom edge. A user may easily lift the pet water dispenser 1 byholding the curved bottom edge of the lower frame 120 without having towedge a finger between a bottom surface of the lower frame 120 and thefloor or ground. In addition, the curved bottom edge of the lower frame120 may rock if an external force is applied to the pet water dispenser1 and rock back to an initial position to reorient the pet waterdispenser 1 to be upright. The curved edge of the lower frame 120 mayprevent the pet water dispenser 1 from being completely overturned.

The upper frame 110 may include outer and inner covers 111 and 112forming outer and inner portions of the upper surface of the base 100.The upper surface of the base 100 may also include a vertical wall orflange 112 b extended downward from the inner cover 112 and defining aninner opening 112 a. The flange 112 b may correspond to the extension222 of the bottom of the container 200, and the opening 112 a maycorrespond to the inner bottom surface 223. The inner bottom surface 223may be a circular recess that protrudes downward and is inserted intothe opening 112 a.

The metal 191 a, sterilizing light 194, and liquid temperature sensor193 mounted on the heat sink 160 may be exposed through the opening 112a. A center plate 130, which may have a circular shape corresponding toa shape of the opening 112 a, may be exposed through the opening 112 a.Alternatively, a portion of an optional top plate 140 placed on top ofthe center plate 130 may be exposed through the opening 112 a. Together,the outer and inner covers 111 and 112 and the center and top plates 130and 140, in addition to the inner and outer surfaces bottom 223 and 221of the container 200, may shield an inside of the base 100 from liquidso that electronic devices (e.g., fan 180, Peltier device 191 b)provided in the base 100 are sealed from liquid stored in the container200.

The guide rib 113 may separate the outer and inner covers 111 and 112,and the outer bottom surface 221 of the inner wall 220 of the container220 may be seated on the inner cover 112 and provided within the guiderib 113. The guide rib 113 may extend along an entire circumferentialdirection of the upper surface of the upper frame 110 to prevent lateraldisplacement of the inner wall 220 of the container 200. Alternativelyor in addition thereto, the outer bottom surface 221 may further beadhered to the inner cover 112.

The outer cover 111 may include a guide groove 119 (FIG. 9A) in whichthe lower end of the outer wall 210 of the container 200 may beinserted. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the lower end of theouter wall 210 may include a protrusion or extension that is configuredto fit into the guide groove 119, and the outer wall 210 may be snapfitted onto the outer cover 111 of the upper frame 110 of the base 100.

The user interface 114 may be provided on the upper frame 110 of thebase 100. Alternatively, the user interface 114 may be provided on thelower frame 120 of the base 100 or in the upper rim 230 of thecontainer. In such an alternative embodiment where electronic devices(like the user interface 114) are provided in the upper rim 230 of thecontainer, the upper rim 230 may be configured to have an inner space tohouse the electronic devices, wires, a battery, a socket or terminal,and/or a wireless power transceiver.

The user interface 114 may allow a user to select modes, temperature,etc. of the pet water dispenser 1. Although the user interface 114 isexemplified as having buttons 114 b and/or light emitting devices 114 e,embodiments disclosed are not limited thereto, and the user interface114 may be a digital display, a liquid crystal (LCD) display, a touchscreen, etc. For convenience of description, an example where the userinterface 114 includes buttons 114 b and light emitting devices 114 ewill be described. In addition, a user may control the pet waterdispenser 1 via a mobile application that communicates via WiFi orBluetooth with a communication or WiFi module of the controller Cprovided on the printed circuit board 195, which will be described inmore detail with reference to FIG. 12.

The upper frame 110 of the base 100 may include at least one button holeor opening 114 a in which at least one button 114 b may be inserted. Thebutton 114 b may be connected to a printed circuit board 114 c. Based ona pressing pattern of the button 114 b by the user, the button 114 b maycontact the printed circuit board 114 c to transmit various types ofsignals to the controller C on the printed circuit board 195. The upperframe 110 may further include at least one light hole 114 d, and atleast one light emitting device 114 e such as a light emitting diode(LED) or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) may be provided abovethe button 114 b on the printed circuit board 114 c. The light emittingdevice 114 e may emit lights of various wavelengths and colors throughthe light hole 114 d under the control of the controller C on theprinted circuit board 195 to indicate at least one of a status oroperation of the pet water dispenser 1.

Although a single light emitting device 114 e behind the light hole 114d is exemplified, shapes of the light emitting device 114 e are notlimited thereto. For example, the light emitting device 114 e may bering shaped and include a plurality of LEDs or OLEDs, and the lightemitting device 114 e may be installed in a groove formed on the upperframe 110 of the base 100. As another alternative, the light emittingdevice 114 e may be installed in the lower frame 120 of the base 100 orin the upper rim 230 of the container. The ring-shaped light emittingdevice 114 e may include a plurality of LEDs or OLEDs to soothe ananimal who may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder or seasonaldepression. The light emitting device 114 e of the pet water dispenser 1may also be used as a lamp or mood settling light.

A user may press the button 114 d once to select a first mode (e.g., anON mode), and the light emitting device 114 e may emit a first color(e.g., green) to indicate that the pet water dispenser 1 is turned on,and the pump 192 a may be operated. The user may press the button 114 dtwice to select a second mode (e.g., an OFF mode), and the lightemitting device 114 e may emit a second color (e.g., red) to indicatethat the pet water dispenser 1 is turned off, and the pump 192 may beturned off.

The user may also select a cooling mode or a fast cooling mode tooperate the fan 180 and Peltier device 191 b and cool the liquid, andthe light emitting device 114 e may emit blue light. The user may alsoselect a heating mode to operate the Peltier device 191 b to heat theliquid. Other modes may include a manual mode (where a user must furtherindicate whether to operate the pump 192 or to cool or heat the liquidvia the Peltier device 191 b) or an automatic mode, where the pump 192and the Peltier device 191 b may be operated based on a liquidtemperature sensed by the liquid temperature sensor 193 and/or at leastone proximity sensor 125.

The proximity sensor 125 may be a radar sensor that emits radio waves tosense whether a pet is approaching the pet water dispenser 1. Since theproximity sensor 125 uses radar technology, it may not be necessary toinclude holes in the upper frame 110 through which the proximity sensor125 transmits a signal. Alternatively, the proximity sensor 125 maytransmit a signal (e.g., a laser signal) via holes or openings providedin the upper frame 110, and an optional transmission membrane may coverthe holes or openings.

The proximity sensor 125 may be provided at an inner circumferentialsurface of the lower frame 120 or behind the outer walls of the upperand lower frames 110 and 120 to face outward, but embodiments disclosedherein are not limited to such a location so long as the proximitysensor 125 can emit signals outward. There may be a plurality ofproximity sensors 125 provided at equal intervals along a perimeter orthe inner circumferential surface of the lower frame 120. For example,there may be four proximity sensors 125 provided at 90 degrees away fromeach other when the lower frame 120 is circular. As another example,there may be three proximity sensors 125 provided at 120 degrees awayfrom each other. A number and arrangement of proximity sensors 125 isnot limited to three and four, and there may be more or less proximitysensors 125 arranged in the base 100 at various intervals.

Alternatively or in addition thereto, there may be a mounting portionextending from inner circumferential surfaces of the upper and/or lowerframe 110 and/or 120, and a recess or cavity may be formed in an uppersurface of the mounting portion to house the proximity sensor 125 and/orother electronic devices (e.g., printed circuit boards 114 c and 195).Alternatively, the upper rim 230 of the container 200 may be configuredto have a mounting portion protruding outward from an outercircumferential surface to house the proximity sensor 125 and/or acamera or image sensor. In yet another alternative, there may be acamera or image sensor provided in the upper frame 110 as part of theuser interface 114, and the upper frame 110 may include a hole throughwhich the camera or image sensor may capture images.

The upper frame 110 may further include exhaust vents or an exhaustgrill 115 to exhaust hot or cool air from inside of the base 100 to anoutside. Alternatively, the exhaust vents 115 may be provided on a sidesurface of the lower frame 120. The exhaust vents 115 may be verticalslots configured to align with ends of the radiating fins 162 of theheat sink 160, which will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 10A-10F.

A bottom surface of the bottom frame 120 of the base 100 may include atleast one leg or flange 127 to space the base 100 apart from the ground.A plurality of base legs or flanges 127 spaced from each other along thecircumferential direction of the lower frame 120 may be provided at alower edge or bottom surface of the lower frame 120. The weight sensor124 may also serve to space the base 100 apart from the ground.

The bottom surface of the bottom frame 120 may also include the suctiongrill 121 through which ambient air may be suctioned into the base viathe fan 180 and air/liquid discharge slots 122 through which errantliquid may be discharged. The suction grill 121 may include a pluralityof arc-shaped slots or through holes extending in a circumferentialdirection. Alternatively, the suction grill 121 may include a pluralityof elongated slots extending radially outward from a center of the lowerframe 120, may include a spiral-shaped opening, or may include a grid ormesh-shaped grill having rectangular holes. The suction grill 121 may beconfigured to correspond to a position of the fan 180.

The discharge slots 122 may be arc-shaped slots or through-holes formedon an outer portion or edge of the bottom surface of the lower frame120. Positions of the discharge slots 122 may correspond to ends of thefan housing 170, and details of a flow path of errant liquid orcondensate down toward the discharge slots 122 will be described in moredetail with reference to FIGS. 10A-10F.

Referring to FIGS. 8C-9C, the center plate 130 may have a shapecorresponding to the shape of the opening 112 a (e.g., circle). Adiameter of the center plate 130 may be slightly larger than a diameterof the opening 112 a, and the center plate 130 and/or a top plate 140provided above the center plate 130 may be coupled (e.g., welded,adhered, or fused) to the flange 112 b to cover the opening 112 a. Thecenter plate 130 may be formed as one piece with the inner and outercovers 112 and 111 of the base 100, or alternatively may be formed as aseparate piece and later welded or bonded to the flange 112 b of theinner cover 112 and/or the extension 222 and the inner bottom surface221 of the container 200. Although FIG. 9B shows an example where thecenter plate 130 has the pump housing 292 in which the pump 192 isprovided, the pump housing 292 may alternatively be provided on theinner bottom surface 223 of the container 200, as shown in FIG. 1F.

The center plate 130 may include a Peltier hole or opening 131 throughwhich the metal 191 a is inserted, a light hole 132 through which thesterilizing light 194 may be inserted or exposed, and a wiring hole 136through which wires connected to the pump 192 in the container 200 maypass. The wiring hole 136 may include an optional cylindrical housingthat is inserted into the wiring hole 226 to further insulate wires andto prevent liquid from seeping outside of the wiring holes 226 and 136into the base 100. The metal 191 a may be inserted through the Peltierhole 131 of the center plate 130 and the Peltier hole 225 (FIG. 5C) ofthe inner bottom surface 223 of the container 200, and the metal 191 amay be mounted on the Peltier device 191 b to heat or cool liquid beforethe liquid enters the pump 192.

The Peltier device 191 b may be mounted on the heat sink 160 and serveto space the center plate 130 apart from the heat sink 160 (and/or anoptional top plate 140 provided on the heat sink 160) by a gap or spaceS3. A length of the gap or space S3 may be equal to a height of thePeltier device 191 b.

The Peltier hole 131 of the center plate 130 may have a size and shapecorresponding to a bottom portion of the metal 191 a mounted on the heatsink 160. Alternatively, the Peltier hole 131 of the center plate 130may have a size and shape corresponding to an upper portion of the metalthat is formed to be smaller than the bottom portion of the metal 191 a,and the center plate 130 may be seated on the bottom portion of themetal 191 a. In such an alternative embodiment, the gap or space S3between the center plate 130 and the heat sink 160 may be equal to a sumof a height of the lower portion of the metal 191 a and the height ofthe Peltier device 191 b.

The center plate 130 may further include a temperature sensor hole 133through which the liquid temperature sensor 193 may protrude. The liquidtemperature sensor 193 may include a base 193 a mounted on a heatdissipation plate 161 of the heat sink 160 and a probe that protrudesthrough the inner bottom surface 223 of the container 200 into thecontainer 200. The Peltier device 191 b, sterilizing light 194, the pump192, and the liquid temperature sensor 193 may be electrically connectedto the printed circuit board 195 and/or a battery 196 (FIG. 10D)provided above the printed circuit board 195.

The center plate 130 may have a circular disc shape corresponding to ashape of the inner bottom surface 223 of the container 200. However,embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to a circular center plate130. For example, the center plate 130 may be rectangular and have ashape that corresponds to the heat dissipation plate 161 of the heatsink 160.

The center plate 130 may be provided between and/or below a pair of sideplates 150. The side plates 150 may have a height higher than that ofthe center plate 130, and may be provided under the outer and innercovers 111 and 112 of the upper frame 110 of the base. The side plates150 may be provided above and spaced apart from the heat sink 160 and/oran optional top plate 140 to create a gap or space S2 (FIGS. 5A-5B). Thespace S2 under the side plates 150 may communicate with the space S3under the center plate 130. The pair of side plates 150 may not contactthe center plate 130, and may be adhered to a bottom surface of theouter and inner covers 111 and 112.

The optional top plate 140 may be provided on top of the heatdissipation plate 161 of the heat sink 160 (FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 11B), oralternatively may be provided above the center plate 130 (FIGS. 2B and8C). As another alternative, the top plate 140 may include an openingthrough which the entire center plate 130 is inserted, the center plate130 may be coplanar with the top plate 140. The top plate 140 mayinclude holes through which the Peltier device 191 b, sterilizing light194, and liquid temperature sensor 193 are exposed, in addition to ahole to accommodate wires passing through the wiring hole 227. The topplate 140, the side plates 150, and the center plate 130 may isolate theheat sink 160 so that the container 200 is not unintentionally heated byany heat emitted by the heat sink 160 and/or a motor provided in the fan180. The top plate 140, side plates 150, and center plate 130 may bemade of an insulating material and serve as gaskets. Alternatively, thetop plate 140, side plates 150, and center plate 130 may be made ofmetal.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 10A-10F, the heat sink 160 may be providedunder the center plate 130, top plate 140, and side plates 150 andprovided above the fan 180 and fan housing 170. The heat dissipationplate 161 may be provided below the center plate 130, top plate 140, andside plates 150. The plurality of radiating fins 162 may be providedbelow the heat dissipation plate 161 to face an upper surface or outtakeof the fan 180.

The radiating fins 162 and the heat dissipation plate 161 may be formedof the same material, which may be a material that has high heatconductivity like metal (e.g., copper or aluminum). The radiating fins162 may be arranged in a row structure configured to direct air towardthe exhaust vents 115, and ends of the rows may align with the exhaustvents 115 when the upper frame 110 is coupled to the lower frame 120(compare FIGS. 10E and 10F). Ends of the radiating fins 162 and theexhaust vents 115 may correspond to left and right sides of the petwater dispenser 1, while the user interface 114 may correspond to afront, and the socket 118 may correspond to a back. Ends of the heatsink 160 corresponding to the exhaust vents 115 may be curved tocorrespond to a curvature of the side wall of the upper frame 110.Corresponding ends of the top plate 140 and side plates 150 may besimilarly curved.

Although the figures show a plurality of longitudinal radiating fins 162extending linearly across the heat dissipation plate 161, embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited to such a configuration of the heatsink 160. For example, the heat dissipation plate 161 may be formed as acircular disc or a ring, and the radiating fins 162 may extend radiallyoutward from a center of the heat dissipation plate 161, may be formedas annular rings extending in a circumferential direction, or may besquare or rectangular fins that face each other and are provided atequal intervals around an outer circumference of the heat dissipationplate 161. In another alternative embodiment, the heat dissipation plate161 may be formed as a ring with a hole, and the fan 180 may be insertedinto the hole instead of provided under the heat sink 160.

The Peltier device 191 b, liquid temperature sensor 193, and thesterilizing light 194 may be provided on the heat dissipation plate 161.As an alternative, the Peltier device 191 b, liquid temperature sensor193, and the sterilizing light 194 may be provided on one of the topplate 140 or the center plate 130 to protrude through the opening 112 aof the upper frame 110 and the container 200.

The metal 191 a may directly contact liquid in the container 200. Themetal 191 a may be made of a metal that has good heat conductiveproperties, such as copper or aluminum, but may alternatively be made ofstainless steel or another material having a high thermal conductivityor a high heat transfer coefficient. An upper surface or portion of themetal 191 a may have a ridge shape, or alternatively a mesh grid shapeto increase a surface area in contact with the liquid. Other shapes orcontours may be used to increase the surface area. For example, thesurface of the metal 191 a may be convex or concave, and mayadditionally include meshed grid patterns or ridges or rows of fins. Thebottom portion of the metal 191 a may be wider than the upper portionhaving the ridges. The peltier hole 225 of the container 200 (FIG. 5C)may be sized to only expose the upper portion of the metal 191 a, whilethe lower portion of the metal 191 a may serve to prevent liquid fromseeping past the peltier hole 225 of the container 200 into the base100.

The Peltier device 191 b may be mounted on an upper surface of the heatdissipation plate 161, and may have terminals across which a voltage maybe applied. When a voltage is applied to the Peltier device 191 b, adifference in temperature may be generated between an upper side orportion and a lower side or portion as heat is transferred from one ofthe upper or lower sides to the other.

During a heating process, the upper side of the Peltier device 191 b maybecome hot and emit heat, which may be transferred to liquid in the tankvia the metal 191 a, while the lower side may become cold and/or absorbheat. Cold air may be dissipated through the heat sink 160 and exhaustedout of the exhaust vents 115 as the fan 180 rotates.

During a cooling process, the upper side of the Peltier device 191 b maybecome cold to cool liquid in the container 200 via the metal 191 a,while the lower side of the Peltier device 191 b may become hot. Hot airmay be dissipated through the heat sink 160 and exhausted out of theexhaust vents 115 as the fan 180 rotates.

There may be an optional element temperature sensor to sense atemperature of the Peltier device 191 b or the heat sink 160. When theelement temperature sensor senses that a temperature of the Peltierdevice 191 b and/or the heat sink 160 is above a predetermined elementtemperature, an operation of the Peltier device 191 b may be stopped,and the fan 180 may rotate to cool the heat sink 160 and/or the Peltierdevice 191 b. Ambient air may be suctioned upward into the base via thesuction grill 121. The fan 180 may discharge the ambient air toward theplurality of radiating fins 162 of the heat sink 160 to cool the heatsink 160 and/or the Peltier device 191 b. Hot air may then be dischargedthrough the exhaust vents 115.

The fan 180 may be provided on the lower frame 120 above the suctiongrill 121 and oriented so that air suctioned through the suction grill121 may be discharged to the radiating fins 162 of the heat sink 150.The fan 180 may include a hub 183 at a center and a plurality of blades182 extending from the hub 183. A fan case or shroud 181 may surroundthe plurality of blades 182. The hub 183 may be rotated by a motorinside the hub 183. The plurality of blades 182 may be inclined orcurved so as to push air toward the heat sink 160. The fan case 181 mayalso include fastening holes 184 through which a bolt or screw mayfasten the fan case 181 to the fan housing 170. Alternatively, thefastening holes 184 may be used to couple the fan case 181 to at leastone of the upper frame 110 and the lower frame 120 of the base 100.

The fan housing 170 may be provided to surround the fan case 181,support the heat sink 160, and guide a flow of air exhausted at anouttake of the fan 180. A center frame 173 of the fan housing 170 mayhave inclined surfaces that lead to the discharge slots 122 and exhaustvent 115. The inclined surfaces of the center frame 173 may cover sidesof the fan case 181. If errant liquid enters the base 100 via, e.g., theexhaust vents 115, the liquid may be guided down the inclined surface ofthe fan housing 170 and discharged out of the discharge slots 122 andexhaust vents 115.

Errant liquid dripping on the side of the container 200 and the base 100is more likely to drip into the exhaust vents 115 when the fan 180 isnot operating. When the fan 180 is operating, discharged air may keeperrant liquid from entering the base 100 through the exhaust vents 115.In addition, any other liquid or condensate that may have collected onthe fan housing 170 may be discharged through the discharge slots 122.

The inclined surfaces of the center frame 173 may also guide exhaust airtoward the exhaust vents 115. Heights of the inclined surfaces of thecenter frame 173 may be less than or equal to a height of lower ends ofthe exhaust vents 115 so as not to block the exhaust vents 115. Bottomsurfaces of the inclined surfaces of the center frame 173 of the fanhousing 170 may also guide air discharged from the fan 180 up to theheat sink 160 and prevent ambient air from escaping.

A top of the center frame 173 may have an opening 171 (FIG. 9C)configured to fit the fan 180 and/or the fan case 181, and the inclinedsurfaces may extend from side edges or ends such that a longitudinaldirection of the fan housing 170 corresponds to longitudinal directionsof the heat sink 160 and top plate 140. A size and shape of the opening171 may correspond be large enough so that an outtake of the fan 180 isexposed through the opening 171, and the center frame 173 may partiallycover the fan case 181 so that corners or sides of the fan case 181 maybe attached to the center frame 173 via the fastening holes 184.Alternatively, the size and shape of the opening 171 may correspond to asize and shape of a perimeter of the fan case 181 (e.g., square orcircular). A height of the top of the center frame 173 may be greaterthan or equal to a height of the fan case 181 so that the heat sink 160may rest on the center frame 173.

The fan housing 170 may have a pair of sidewalls or side frames 172 thatextend upward to cover sides of the heat sink 160. The side frames 172may extend from an upper surface of the center frame 173 and from sidesof the inclined walls of the center frame 173.

The center plate 130 may have a diameter or width that is greater thanor equal to a distance between the side frames 172 of the fan housing170, and the sidewalls 172 may include a cutout or recessed portion 172a in which a side or portion of the center plate 130 extending past thewidth of the fan housing 170 may be provided. The cutout may furtherserve to space the center plate 130 apart from the heat sink 160 by thespace S3. A distance from bottom ends of the side frames 172 to thecutout may be greater than or equal to a distance from the bottom of theradiating fins of the heat sink to a top of the Peltier device 191 b.Alternatively, the recessed portion 172 a may be omitted if a diameterof the center plate 130 is less than a distance between the side frames172 of the fan housing 170.

The side frames 172 may have a lower opening or cutout portion throughwhich sides of the fan case 181 may be exposed, while the inclinedsurfaces of the center frame 173 may cover respective sides of the fancase 181. A height of the fan case 181 may be equal to or less than aheight of the opening in the side frames 172. Ends of the side frames172 may be provided around ends of the fan case 181.

The fan housing 170 may include a boss or screw hole 170 a protrudingfrom the side frame 172. A bolt or screw may be inserted into the screwhole 170 a to attach the fan housing 170 to the upper frame 110, and topush the fan housing 170, heat sink 160, Peltier device 191 b, metal 191a, and plurality of plates 130, 140, and/or 150 upward toward the uppersurface of the upper frame 110 of the base 100 and toward the innerbottom surface 223 of the container 200 to further seal the Peltier hole225, wiring hole 226, and openings for the sterilizing light 194 andtemperature sensor 193 and to prevent liquid in the container fromleaking into the base 100. The screw inserted into the screw hole 170 amay further help to align the heat sink 160, Peltier device 191 b, metal191 a, and plurality of plates 130, 140, and/or 150. Details of thescrew hole 170 a and a coupling of the fan housing 170 to the upperframe 110 will be described in further detail with reference to FIG.11C.

The Peltier device 191 b and the fan 180 may be connected to acontroller C (FIG. 12) on the printed circuit board 195, and powered byexternal power applied through a socket or terminal 118 or a battery196. Details of the controller C and printed circuit board 195 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 12.

The base 100 may include the battery 196. The battery 196 may beprovided adjacent to the sidewalls 172 of the fan housing 170 and abovethe printed circuit board 196. The battery 196 may be rated at 3500 mAh(milliampere hour). The battery 196 may be charged by external powerapplied to the socket 118 provided near the battery 196. Alternativelyor in addition thereto, the battery 196 may be wirelessly charged via acorresponding charge pad. A wire may be plugged into the socket 118. Theprinted circuit board 195 may include an AC/DC converter to convertalternating current from an external power source to direct current.Alternatively, the battery 196 may be connected to a wireless powertransceiver or wireless power receiver, and may be charged wirelesslyvia the wireless power transceiver. Details of a wireless powertransmission (WPT) process are provided in U.S. application Ser. No.16/571,075 (Attorney Docket No. PBC-0742) filed on Sep. 14, 2019, theentire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

If external power is disconnected or disabled, the battery 196 mayoperate the pump 192, the sterilizing light 194, the liquid temperaturesensor 193, the Peltier device 191 b, and/or the user interface 114.When a charge of the battery 196 is below a predetermined amount and thesocket 118 is not connected to external power, the controller C maycontrol the light emitting device 114 e to emit a certain color (e.g.,red) or blink to warn the user that a power supply is low so that theuser may plug in the pet water dispenser 1 at the socket 118. Inaddition, the pet water dispenser 1 may enter a power saving mode inwhich only certain devices (e.g., the pump 192) are operated while otherdevices (e.g., the Peltier device 191 b, the sterilizing light 194) arenot operated. Details of a power saving mode will be described withreference to FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the bottom surface of the lower frame120 may further include a sensor frame 123 (e.g., weight sensor frame)in which a water level sensor 124 (e.g., weight sensor) may be housed.Although embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to having a weightsensor to determine an amount of liquid contained in the container, forconvenience of description, an embodiment where the water level sensor124 is a weight sensor will be described.

A shape of the weight sensor 124 may correspond to a lower contour ofthe weight sensor frame 123. The weight sensor 124 may also serve as aleg or cushion supporting the pet water dispenser 1, and may protrudefurther downward than the leg 127 formed on the lower frame 120. Theweight sensor 124 may be a strain gauge, pressure sensor, or load sensorto sense a pressure or weight of liquid in the container 200 and appliedto the lower frame 120 of the base 100 and/or a bottom of the container200. The controller C provided on the printed circuit board 195 maydetermine a level of liquid in the container 200 based on a measurementof the weight sensor 124.

The weight sensor frame 123 may include a recessed or stepped portion123 a that is recessed upward from the bottom surface of the lower frame120, while the lower end of the weight sensor frame 123 may protrudefrom the bottom surface of the lower frame 120. A cavity or chamber maybe formed by the stepped portion 123 a.

The weight sensor 124 may include a main body 124 a and a pad 124 bhaving a sensor. An elastic frame 124 c may be coupled to an inneropening of the main body 124 a via an extension 124 e formed at one sideof the elastic frame 124 c. The elastic frame 124 c may be inserted intothe cavity formed by the stepped portion 123 a of the weight sensorhousing 123, while the main body 124 a may be provided under the lowerend of the weight sensor housing 123. The pad 124 b of the weight sensor124 may be configured to extend beyond the leg 127 of the lower frame120 such that a cushion height of the weight sensor 124 is longer than alength of the leg 127.

The weight sensor 124 may further include a protrusion or flange 124 dthat is inserted into a second or intermediate stepped portion 123 cformed in the weight sensor housing 123. The intermediate steppedportion 123 c may be recessed from a lower end of the weight sensorhousing, but may not be recessed as far as the stepped portion 124 a.The flange 124 d may secure the main body 124 a of the weight sensor 124to the intermediate stepped portion 123 c and may provide stability andrigidity to the main body 124 a.

A size and shape of the extension 124 e may be configured to allow themain body 124 a and the lower end of the weight sensor housing 123 tomove toward and away from the ground, pressing on the elastic frame 124c, depending on how heavy the container 200 is. The main body 124 b andthe elastic frame 124 c may be made of a same material as the lowerframe 120 (e.g., plastic).

The pad 124 b may cover an end of a protrusion protruding from theelastic frame 124 c. The protrusion and pad 124 b may remain still asthe lower frame 120, lower end of the weight sensor frame 123, and themain body 124 a move toward and away from the ground and press on theelastic frame 124 c depending on a weight applied. When a surface of thestepped portion 123 a moves down to touch a back of the elastic portion124 c, the sensor in the pad 124 b may sense a pressure or weightapplied. The pad 124 may further include an elastic material (e.g.,rubber), which may expand and contract depending on a weight applied tothe weight sensor 124 and serve as a cushion to protect the sensor. Anupper surface of the elastic frame 124 c and a lower surface of thestepped portion 123 a may be flat so that a pressure sensed by the pad124 b may be evenly distributed.

A coupling of the weight sensor 124 and the weight sensor frame 123 arenot limited to a configuration including extensions on the main body 124a and stepped portions 123 a and 123 c in the weight sensor frame 123.As an alternative example, the main body 124 a of the weight sensor 124may be snapped-fit or pressed-fit into the frame 123, which may have anopening or cavity configured to have a perimeter corresponding to aperimeter and/or upper contour of the main body 124 a of the weightsensor 124. As another alternative, the main body 124 a of the weightsensor and the pad 124 b may be manufactured as a single weight sensor124.

The pads 124 b of the weight sensor 124 may serve as legs on which thepet water dispenser 1 may rest, and may space apart the bottom surfaceof the lower frame 120 of the base from the ground so that air may besuctioned through the suction grill 121.

There may be additional sensors provided in the base 100, such as theoptional element temperature sensor described previously, a gyro sensorto sense a tilt or inclination of the pet water dispenser 1, and a lightsensor to sense ambient light of a room in which the pet water dispenser1 is placed. In addition, there may be a pedestal having an adjustableheight and/or inclination on which the pet water dispenser 1 that thecontroller may adjust in response to a measurement from the gyro sensor.

Referring to FIG. 11C in conjunction with FIGS. 1F, 1G, 2B, 8A-8C, 9A,and 9B a bottom surface of the upper frame 110 may include various holesand bosses to assist in maintaining positions of the heat sink 160, fanhousing 170, printed circuit board 195, battery 196, proximity sensor125, and user interface 114 inside the base 100 and to assist incoupling the upper frame 110 to the lower frame 120. There may becorresponding holes, bosses, or recesses in the fan housing 170, topplate 140, side plates 150, and the lower frame 120 corresponding to thevarious holes and bosses of the upper frame 110. Screws or bosses may beinserted into the holes and bosses of the upper frame 110, fan housing170, top plate 140, and side plates 150 to push the fan housing 170, fan180, heat sink 180, center plate 130, Peltier device 191 a, metal 191 b,top plate 140, and/or side plates 150 upward toward the upper frame 110and the inner bottom surface 223 of the container 200 to prevent liquidfrom seeping into the base 100.

In more detail, the sidewall of the upper frame 110 may include a socketopening or hole 118 a through which the terminal or socket 118 may beexposed for plugging in. A battery housing 196 a may be formed as wallsextending downward. Some of the walls of the battery housing 196 a maybe curved to correspond to a curvature of the battery 196. There may befour bosses 195 a extending downward near corners of the battery housing196 a to maintain a position printed circuit board 195 below the battery196.

A user interface housing 114 f formed of walls or frames may extenddownward to maintain a position of the printed circuit board 114 c ofthe user interface 114. Similarly, a proximity sensor housing 125 aformed of walls or frames may extend downward to maintain a position ofupper portions of the proximity sensors 125. Although two proximitysensor housings 125 a are shown in FIG. 11C, there may be more or lessproximity sensor housings 125 a depending on a number of proximitysensors 125 provided in the base. Positions user interface housing 114f, proximity sensor housing 125 a, and battery housing 196 a maycorrespond to positions of the user interface 114, proximity sensor 125,and battery 196, respectively, and positions of the bosses 195 a maycorrespond to a position of the printed circuit board 195.

Bosses or screw holes 117 a, 117 b, 117 d may be formed as holes thatprotrude through the upper surface of the upper frame 110. Bosses 117 cmay extend downward, and may optionally have a hole that protrudesthrough the upper surface of the upper frame 110.

Boss 117 a may be a screw hole or bolt hole. A bolt or screw may beinserted through boss 117 a to be provided in a recess 170 b formed inthe side frame 172 to maintain positions of the fan housing 170 and theheat sink 160. Each side frame 172 of the fan housing 170 may includetwo recesses 170 b having a shape that corresponds to a bolt insertedthrough the boss 117 a. There may be four bosses 117 a corresponding topositions of the recesses 170 b in the fan housing 170. The top plate140 may include a hole 140 a at a position above the recess 170 b toallow the bolt to insert into the recess 170 b. Similarly, the pair offrames 150 may include a cutout, recess, or opening 150 a through whichthe bolt may pass to the recess 170 b. Therefore, the top plate 140 andthe pair of plates 150 may not obstruct a path to the recess 170 b.

Boss 117 b may be a smaller bolt hole or screw hole than boss 117 a. Abolt or screw may be inserted through a boss or screw hole 170 aprotruding from the side frame 172 of the fan housing 170 and couple tothe boss 117 b. Each side frame 172 of the fan housing 170 may includetwo screw holes 170 a provided adjacent to the recesses 170 b. There maybe four bosses 117 b corresponding to positions of the screw holes 170 ain the fan housing 170. The bolts or screwed may be inserted upwardthrough the screw holes 170 a into the corresponding bosses 117 b toprovide an upward force maintain a position of the fan housing 170 andapplying a pressure to the heat sink 160, Peltier device 191 a,temperature sensor 193, sterilizing light 194, and metal 191 b so thatliquid does not seep through the Peltier hole 225, wiring hole 226, andthe openings in the inner bottom surface 223 of the container 200 forthe sterilizing light 194 and the temperature sensor 193.

Boss 117 c may extend downward to couple to the bottom frame 120. Thebottom frame 120 may include corresponding bosses 117 e that protrudeupward. The bosses 117 e may include holes in which bottom ends of thebosses 117 c may be inserted. As an alternative, the boss 117 c maycouple to a corresponding groove formed in the bottom frame 120, and thebosses 117 e of the bottom frame 120 may simply serve to prevent alateral displacement of the heat sink 160 and/or fan housing 170.

Boss 117 d may be a bolt or screw hole. A bolt or screw may be insertedthrough boss 117 d and inserted through a hole 150 a provided in thepair of top plates 150 to couple to the heat sink 160. When the topplate 140 is provided, a corresponding cutout, recess, or opening 140 bmay be provided so as not to obstruct a path to the heat sink 160. Thebolt that couples to the heat sink 160 may serve to keep the heat sink160 spaced apart from the center plate 130.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B and 12A, the controller C provided on theprinted circuit board 195 may be electrically coupled to and control theprinted circuit board 114 c and/or the user interface 114, thesterilizing light 194, the proximity sensor 125, the liquid temperaturesensor 193, the weight sensor 124, the battery 196, the motor providedin the fan 180, the Peltier device 191 b, and the pump 192. Thecontroller C may further be electrically coupled to an AC/DC converterto convert alternating current supplied to the socket 118 to directcurrent, a memory or storage device to store data (e.g., proximitysensor 125 data and times), and a communication module. Various othersensors provided in the base 100 (e.g., the element temperature sensoror a gyro sensor), if provided, may also be electrically connected toand controlled by the controller C. The controller C may couple to anoptional global positioning system (GPS) that keeps track of a positionof the pet water dispenser 1.

The communication module may include a WiFi module and/or Bluetoothmodule so that a user may control the controller C via a mobileapplication installed on a mobile device. The communication module mayalso communicate with a communication module of the printed circuitboard 114 c to control an operation of the light emitting device 114 eand the button 114 b on the user interface 114. The communication modulemay retrieve information from the user's mobile device or a smart toy orcollar (e.g., GPS data) and compare that to data (e.g., GPS data sensedby the GPS) of the pet water dispenser 1. The communication module mayinteract or communicate with a separate server that receives data fromthe user's mobile device and/or smart pet devices (e.g., a pet pendantor collar, an automated pet treadmill, an automated pet house, a robotcleaner, etc).

When the liquid temperature sensor 193 senses a temperature outside of afirst predetermined liquid temperature range, the Peltier device 191 bmay be controlled by the controller C to heat or cool the liquid.Animals tend to prefer water at 10-20 degrees Celsius, so the firstpredetermined liquid temperature range may be 10° C.-20° C. The user mayalso set his or her own liquid temperature range via the user interface114 or a mobile application.

The proximity sensor 125 may sense a position of a pet within apredetermined distance range. When the controller C determines that thepet is within the predetermined distance range, the controller C mayoperate the pump 192 to dispense liquid to the top plate 420, and liquidfalling from the outer edge of the top plate 420 may simulate runningwater, which is pleasing for animals. The pet may be attracted to thepet water dispenser 1 and drink the falling liquid.

As an alternative, the controller C may wait to operate the pump 192only if the proximity sensor 125 senses that the pet is continuing toapproach the pet water dispenser 1. The proximity sensor 125 may firstsense that a pet is within the predetermined distance range, and thecontroller C may control the pump 192 to be in a “standby state” wherethe pump 192 is ready to quickly operate in the case of a furthercommand or signal from the controller C. When the proximity sensor 125senses that the pet has traveled closer to the pet water dispenser 1,the controller C may then operate the pump 192.

As another example, the controller C may only operate the pump 192 whena pet is approaching the pet water dispenser 1 by a predetermined speed.The controller C may calculate a speed of the pet based on continuous orperiodic measurements from the proximity sensor 125 and an internaltimer. When the pet is sensed to be within a second predetermineddistance range that is smaller or closer than the first predetermineddistance range, the controller C may determine that the pet is drinkingfrom the pet water dispenser 1, and the memory may store consumptiondata.

The controller C may be able to control a pumping capacity or rate ofthe pump 192. The controller may increase the pumping capacity when itis determined via a plurality of proximity sensors 125 that a pluralityof pets are approaching (or have approached) the pet water dispenser 1.

The memory may be provided on the printed circuit board 195 to storedata on how often or at what time the pet drinks from the pet waterdispenser 1. The controller C may operate the pump 192 and the Peltierdevice 191 b based on predictions on when the pet will approach the petwater dispenser 1. For example, data stored in the memory may indicatethat a pet drinks from the pet water dispenser 1 at noon every day, sothe controller C may operate the Peltier device 191 b before noon tocool or heat the water, and may operate the pump 192 or control the pump192 to be in a standby state at noon. As another example, data stored inthe memory may indicate that a pet drinks from the pet water dispenser 1every two hours, and so, after the proximity sensor 125 senses that apet is no longer within the second predetermined distance range, twohours later, the controller may operate the Peltier device 191 b and/orcontrol the pump 192 to operate or to be in a standby state.

The controller C may also interact with a mobile application a user mayhave installed on his mobile device or computer, and may also interactwith a pet pendant or tag having a GPS tracker. Based on GPS sensors inthe pet pendant and on the user's mobile device, the controller C maydetermine whether a pet is alone in a house, is out with his owner (theuser), or is in the house with his owner. A location of the house may beentered by the user via the mobile application, or may be determined tobe equal to GPS data sensed by the GPS of the pet water dispenser 1.

When the GPS data indicates that the pet and his owner are away from thehouse together, the controller C may operate the Peltier device 191 b tocool or heat the liquid so that the liquid is at a pleasing temperaturewhen the pet returns to the house. The controller C may further operatethe sterilizing light 194 when the owner and pet are away from thehouse, since the owner and pet will not be at risk of being exposed toUV radiation, which may be damaging.

When GPS sensors indicate that the pet is alone in the house, thecontroller C may operate the pump 192 and/or the light emitting device114 e to attract the pet to the pet water dispenser 1 for regulardrinking. The user may also control the pet water dispenser 1 via amobile application, and can turn the pet water dispenser 1 on or offusing the mobile application. The user may also select a temperature ofthe liquid to be maintained and control the pump 192.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B and 12, a status of the battery 196 may beprovided to the user via the mobile application, and the controller Cmay control electronic devices based on a charge of the battery 196. Inaddition, the controller C may control electronic devices based on awater level sensed by the weight sensor 124.

As an example, when the battery 196 is less than a first predeterminedcharge amount (e.g., 15%) and when external power is not being suppliedto the socket 118, a power saving mode may be entered. The user mayconfigure desired settings during the power saving mode via the userinterface 114, or, if no settings have been entered, a default powersaving mode may be implemented. In the power saving mode, temperaturecontrol of the pet water dispenser 1 may be altered. As an example, thecontroller may stop or prevent an operation of the Peltier device 191 b,proximity sensor 125, temperature sensor 193, and sterilizing light 194,but may continue to operate the pump 192 and the user interface 114.Alternatively or in addition thereto, the controller may stop anoperation of the fan 180 if a temperature of the heat sink 160 and/orthe Peltier device 191 b sensed by the element temperature sensor isless than the predetermined element temperature.

Furthermore, the controller C may implement the power saving mode when awater level sensed by the weight sensor 124 is less than a predeterminedminimum water level, even if a charge of the battery 196 is greater than15%. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the controller C may stop anoperation of the pump 192 when a water level sensed by the weight sensor124 is less than the predetermined minimum water level. The controller Cmay continue to operate the weight sensor 124 and operate the pump 192when a water level sensed by the weight sensor 124 is greater than thepredetermined minimum water level.

Alternatively or in addition thereto, the controller C may prioritizeelectronic devices to operate during the power saving mode. Thecontroller C may alter a priority order of electronic devices based onmeasurements sensed by the weight sensor 124, the temperature sensor193, and the proximity sensor 125. For example, the controller C maycontinue to operate the temperature sensor 193 in the power saving mode,but may only prioritize operation of the Peltier device 191 b based on asensed temperature being outside of a second predetermined liquidtemperature range that is greater than the first predetermined liquidtemperature range (e.g., 2° C.-30° C.). In addition, a user may preset apriority order of electronic devices to be implemented during the powersaving mode via the user interface 114.

During the power saving mode, the controller C may control thecommunication module to continuously check a signal (e.g., wirelesssignal via WiFi or service set identifier or SSID signal) or electricalconnection with a charge pad, which may wirelessly charge the battery196. If a signal is received from the charge pad that indicates it is ina range to wirelessly charge the battery 196, then a normal mode oroperation may be implemented, and the power saving mode may be stopped.The normal mode may not prevent or reduce operations of the Peltierdevice 191 b, etc. If a signal is not received from the charge pad, theuser may override the power saving mode via the mobile application toimplement the normal mode.

Alternatively or in addition thereto, the controller C may interact withthe socket 118 to continuously check to see if external power is beingapplied to the socket 118. If the controller C determines that externalpower is being applied to the socket 118, then the power saving mode maybe stopped, and the normal mode may be implemented.

When the battery 195 is less than a second predetermined charge amount(e.g., 3%), the pet water dispenser may enter an ultra power saving modeor a sleep mode in which any remaining electronic devices that are stilloperating (e.g., the light emitting device 114 e and/or the userinterface 114, the element temperature sensor, the weight sensor 124,the pump 192, and the fan 180) may be stopped. If the user is unable tocharge the battery 195 by connecting the socket 118 to external power orwirelessly via a charge pad, the user may remove the dispensing assembly400 and the filter assembly 300 by lifting the inclined wall 323 of thefilter guide 320 up and out of the container 200, and a pet may consumeliquid straight from the container 200. The user may also remove thesecondary filter 240 so as not to interfere with a pet consuming liquidfrom the container 200, but may keep the bottom cover 250 inside of thecontainer 200 to protect the pump 192 and the sterilizing light 194.

Although the figures show the fan 180 and the heat sink 160 provided ata center of the base 100 and the Peltier device 191 b provided at aside, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited. For example,referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, an alternative embodiment of the petwater dispenser 1 may be substantially the same as embodiments describedwith reference to FIGS. 12-12B except for in an arrangement of a fan180′, a heat sink 160′, a Peltier device 191 b′, and a metal 191 a′. Insuch an alternative embodiment, the fan 180′ and the heat sink 160 maybe smaller in size and provided to be at a side of the base 100. The fan180′ may be provided under the heat sink 160′, which may be providedunder the Peltier device 191 b′, which may be provided under the outerbottom surface 121. A suction grill 121′ may be provided in the lowerframe 120 under the fan 180′, and a discharge grill 115′ may be providedat a center or opposite side of the lower frame 120. In such analternative embodiment, the bottom cover 250 may be made of metal (e.g.,stainless steel) and the ribs 255 may be omitted so that the bottomcover 250 directly contacts the metal 191 a′ to serve as an additionalheat transfer plate and help to heat or cool the liquid in the container200. Alternatively, the bottom cover 250 may include the optional ribs255, and/or the outer bottom surface 221 of the container 200 mayinclude ribs to space the bottom cover 250 apart from the outer bottomsurface 221 of the container 200.

Referring to FIGS. 14A-14B, another alternative embodiment of the petwater dispenser 1 may be substantially the same as embodiments describedwith reference to FIGS. 1-12B except for in an arrangement of a fan180″, a heat sink 160″, a Peltier device and metal plate 191 a″, anddischarge grill 115″. The fan 180″ may be a sirocco fan or blowerprovided to at a side of the heat sink 160″ instead of under the heatsink 160″. There may be a suction grill 121″ provided under the fan 180in the lower frame 120 (or alternatively adjacent to the fan in theouter wall of the lower frame 120), and the discharge grill 115″provided on an opposite side of the lower frame 120 through which airmay be discharged. The heat sink 160″ and the fan 180″ may be providedbetween the suction grill and the discharge grill 115″. The fan 180″ mayblow air laterally through radiating fins of the heat sink 160″ to coolthe Peltier device provided on a heat dissipating plate of the heat sink160″ and below the metal plate 191 a″.

U.S. application Ser. No. 16/571,245 (Attorney Docket No. PBC-0725)filed on Sep. 16, 2019, U.S. application Ser. No. 16/571,093 (AttorneyDocket No. PBC-0727) filed on Sep. 14, 2019, U.S. application Ser. No.16/571,090 (Attorney Docket No. PBC-0728) filed on Sep. 14, 2019, U.S.application Ser. No. 16/571,089 (Attorney Docket No. PBC-0729) filed onSep. 14, 2019, U.S. application Ser. No. 16/571,076 (Attorney Docket No.PBC-0740) filed on Sep. 14, 2019, U.S. application Ser. No. 16/571,074(Attorney Docket No. PBC-0741) filed on Sep. 14, 2019, U.S. applicationSer. No. 16/571,075 (Attorney Docket No. PBC-0742) filed on Sep. 14,2019, U.S. application Ser. No. 16/571,073 (Attorney Docket No.PBC-0746) filed on Sep. 14, 2019, U.S. application Ser. No. 16/570,310(Attorney Docket No. PBC-0747) filed on Sep. 13, 2019, U.S. applicationSer. No. 16/570,279 (Attorney Docket No. PBC-0769) filed on September13, 2019, U.S. application Ser. No. 16/569,827 (Attorney Docket No.PBC-0770) filed on Sep. 13, 2019, U.S. application Ser. No. 16/569,841(Attorney Docket No. PBC-0771) filed on Sep. 13, 2019, and U.S.application Ser. No. 16/569,908 (Attorney Docket No. PBC-0784) filed onSep. 13, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated byreference herein.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effectsmentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearlyunderstood by those skilled in the art from the description of theclaims.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser capable of providing fresh and clean water to a pet andcapable of providing water at a desirable temperature to a pet.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser capable of preventing contamination from outside of the petwater dispenser or from the pet's mouth or snout.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser capable of providing flowing water, which is pleasing forcertain animals.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser cable of controlling and maintaining a temperature of waterdispensed to a pet based on a pet's species or a user's input.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser capable of accurately detecting a temperature of water orliquid stored in the pet water dispenser, and controlling athermoelectric regulator based on a sensed temperature.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser capable of quickly heating or cooling water in the pet waterdispenser.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser capable of accurately detecting an amount of water stored inthe pet water dispenser and operating the pet water dispenser based on asensed water amount.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser capable of accurately detecting a proximity of a petapproaching the pet water dispenser and operating the pet waterdispenser based on a sensed proximity.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser capable of insulating a space where liquid is stored.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser capable of effectively filtering and sterilizing water.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser capable of operating via battery power and also via power froman external source.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser capable of operating under power saving mods based on a chargeof a battery operating the pet water dispenser and whether the pet waterdispenser is receiving power from an external source.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser capable of treating seasonal affective disorder and capable ofbeing therapeutic for pets and humans.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser that is aesthetically pleasing.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a pet waterdispenser that may be controlled remotely.

Embodiments disclosed herein may provide a pet water dispenser that iseasy to repair, clean, and control.

Embodiments disclosed herein may provide a pet water dispenser that issafe to use.

An object of embodiments disclosed herein is to solve problems ordisadvantages in the related art. The problems solved by the presentdisclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and otherproblems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in theart from the following description.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a liquid dispensercomprising a container configured to store liquid and having an upperrim defining a first opening, a pump having an inlet to suction liquidstored in the container and an outlet to discharge the liquid, a filterassembly seated on the upper rim of the container to partially cover thefirst opening, the filter assembly having at least one filter and asecond opening, a top plate having a predetermined angle of inclinationand a hole through which liquid discharged from the pump flows, and aplate support on which the top plate may be provided, the plate supporthaving a bottom surface configured to cover the second opening of thefilter assembly and a hole corresponding to the hole of the top plate.

The plate support may include spokes provided on an upper surface. Thetop plate may be provided over the spokes. The predetermined angle ofinclination of the top plate may be equal to a predetermined angle ofinclination of the spokes of the plate support.

The filter assembly may include a flange surrounding the second opening.The bottom surface of the plate support may further include a bottomprotrusion, which may be inserted into the flange.

A rim may be provided around the hole. The rim may be inclined downwardfrom an inner end of the rim defining the hole to an outer end of therim. An upper surface of the top plate may have a constant inclinationupward by the predetermined angle of inclination from the outer end ofthe rim toward an edge of the top plate.

A float may comprise a stem configured to partially insert into theholes of the top plate and the plate support such that liquid from theoutlet of the pump may be discharged between the stem and the hole ofthe top plate. The float may further comprise a head provided on top ofthe stem having a maximum width that may be equal to or greater than awidth of the hole in the top plate. The stem may include ribs thatcontact an inner surface defining the hole of the plate support. Theribs extend from a lower end of the stem to be inclined outward. Theribs may be vertical walls that extend outward from the stem. The ribsof the stem may contact vertical grooves formed in the inner surfacedefining the hole of the plate support.

When the pump operates, liquid discharged from the outlet of the pumpthrough the holes of the plate support and top plate may push the floatupward such that the head may be spaced apart from the hole of the topplate. When the pump is not operating, the stem may fall downward intothe hole of the plate support such that the head closes the hole of thetop plate.

A pipe support may extend downward from the bottom surface of the platesupport. The pipe support may have a hole through which one of theoutlet of the pump and a pipe connected to the outlet of the pump may beinserted. The hole of the pipe support may penetrate through the platesupport to communicate with the hole of the top plate.

A base may support the container. The base may have a thermoelectricdevice to change a temperature of the liquid in the container. Thefilter assembly and dispensing assembly may close the first opening ofthe container to thermally insulate the container. A float may beconfigured to close the hole of the top plate when the pump is notoperated.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a liquid dispensercomprising a container configured to store liquid and having an upperrim defining an upper opening, a filter assembly having an outer wallseated on the upper rim of the container, a pump having an inlet tosuction liquid stored in the container and an outlet to discharge theliquid, and a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly may includean upper surface provided above the filter assembly. A cross-sectionalarea defined by an edge of the upper surface may be less than across-sectional area defined by the outer wall of the filter assembly.The dispensing assembly may include a hole vertically penetrating thedispensing assembly. Liquid discharged from the pump may flow throughthe hole to the upper surface.

The dispensing assembly may include a float provided in the hole. Thefloat may be configured to move up and down in the hole based on anoperation of the pump. The float may include a stem coupled to a head toclose the hole.

The dispensing assembly may include a hollow cylindrical shell extendingdownward below the hole with grooves formed in an inner surface. Thefloat may include ribs protruding from an outer surface. The ribs maymove along the grooves when the pump pumps liquid from the containerthrough the cylindrical shell.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a liquid dispensercomprising a container configured to store liquid and having an upperopening, a pump having an inlet to suction liquid stored in thecontainer and an outlet to discharge the liquid, a lid to close theupper opening and having a filter and a top plate, the top plate beingprovided at a height higher than a height of the filter and having ahole, a cylindrical shell formed in a bottom side of the lid, wherein ahollow portion of the cylindrical shell forms a channel that extendsthrough the lid to communicate with the hole of the top plate andextends downward to communicate with the outlet of the pump, and a floathaving a head and a stem. The stem may be configured to partially insertinto the hole of the top plate and the channel of the cylindrical shell.When the pump operates at at least a predetermined pumping capacity, thehead may be spaced apart from the top plate such that liquid dischargedfrom the outlet and the channel may be sprayed between the float and thehole to horizontally travel across the top plate toward an edge and tofall off the edge onto the filter.

A surface defining the channel may include vertical grooves. The stemmay include at least two protrusions that insert into and slide up anddown in the grooves. An upper surface of the top plate may be inclinedupward from an outer end of a rim of the hole toward the hole. The uppersurface may have a constant upward inclination from the outer end of therim toward the edge. The edge may have a curved corner.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can bedirectly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers.In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layerspresent. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may beused herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of oneelement or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated inthe figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements describedas “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented“upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference tocross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure.As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result,for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed aslimited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but areto include deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid dispenser, comprising: a container configured to store liquid and having an upper rim defining a first opening, a pump having an inlet to suction liquid stored in the container and an outlet to discharge the liquid; a filter assembly seated on the upper rim of the container to partially cover the first opening; the filter assembly having at least one filter and a second opening; a top plate having a predetermined angle of inclination and a hole through which liquid discharged from the pump flows; and a plate support on which the top plate is provided, the plate support having a bottom surface configured to cover the second opening of the filter assembly and a hole corresponding to the hole of the top plate.
 2. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the plate support includes spokes provided on an upper surface, and the top plate is provided over the spokes.
 3. The liquid dispenser of claim 2, wherein the predetermined angle of inclination of the top plate is equal to a predetermined angle of inclination of the spokes of the plate support.
 4. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the filter assembly includes a flange surrounding the second opening, and the bottom surface of the plate support further includes a bottom protrusion which is inserted into the flange.
 5. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein a rim is provided around the hole, the rim is inclined downward from an inner end of the rim defining the hole to an outer end of the rim, and an upper surface of the top plate has a constant inclination upward by the predetermined angle of inclination from the outer end of the rim toward an edge of the top plate.
 6. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, further including a float comprising: a stem configured to partially insert into the holes of the top plate and the plate support such that liquid from the outlet of the pump is discharged between the stem and the hole of the top plate; and, a head provided on top of the stem having a maximum width that is equal to or greater than a width of the hole in the top plate.
 7. The liquid dispenser of claim 6, wherein the stem includes ribs that contact an inner surface defining the hole of the plate support.
 8. The liquid dispenser of claim 7, wherein the ribs extend from a lower end of the stem to be inclined outward.
 9. The liquid dispenser of claim 7, wherein the ribs are vertical walls that extend outward from the stem.
 10. The liquid dispenser of claim 7, wherein the ribs of the stem contact vertical grooves formed in the inner surface defining the hole of the plate support.
 11. The liquid dispenser of claim 6, wherein, when the pump operates, liquid discharged from the outlet of the pump through the holes of the plate support and top plate push the float upward such that the head is spaced apart from the hole of the top plate.
 12. The liquid dispenser of claim 6, wherein, when the pump is not operating, the stem falls downward into the hole of the plate support such that the head closes the hole of the top plate.
 13. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, further including a pipe support extending downward from the bottom surface of the plate support and having a hole through which one of the outlet of the pump and a pipe connected to the outlet of the pump is inserted, wherein the hole penetrates through the plate support to communicate with the hole of the top plate.
 14. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, further including a base to support the container and having a thermoelectric device to change a temperature of the liquid in the container, wherein the filter assembly and dispensing assembly close the first opening of the container to thermally insulate the container.
 15. The liquid dispenser of claim 14, further including a float, wherein the float is configured to close the hole of the top plate when the pump is not operated.
 16. A liquid dispenser, comprising: a container configured to store liquid and having an upper rim defining an upper opening, a filter assembly having an outer wall seated on the upper rim of the container; a pump having an inlet to suction liquid stored in the container and an outlet to discharge the liquid; and a dispensing assembly including: an upper surface provided above the filter assembly, wherein a cross-sectional area defined by an edge of the upper surface is less than a cross-sectional area defined by the outer wall of the filter assembly, a hole vertically penetrating the dispensing assembly, wherein liquid discharged from the pump flows through the hole to the upper surface, and a float provided in the hole and configured to move up and down in the hole based on an operation of the pump.
 17. The liquid dispenser of claim 16, wherein the float includes a stem coupled to a head to close the hole.
 18. The liquid dispenser of claim 16, wherein the dispensing assembly includes a hollow cylindrical shell extending downward below the hole with grooves formed in an inner surface, the float includes ribs protruding from an outer surface, and the ribs move along the grooves when the pump pumps liquid from the container through the cylindrical shell.
 19. A liquid dispenser, comprising: a container configured to store liquid and having an upper opening; a pump having an inlet to suction liquid stored in the container and an outlet to discharge the liquid; a lid to close the upper opening and having a filter and a top plate, the top plate being provided at a height higher than a height of the filter and having a hole; a cylindrical shell formed in a bottom side of the lid, wherein a hollow portion of the cylindrical shell forms a channel that extends through the lid to communicate with the hole of the top plate and extends downward to communicate with the outlet of the pump; and a float having a head and a stem, the stem being configured to partially insert into the hole of the top plate and the channel of the cylindrical shell, wherein, when the pump operates at least a predetermined pumping capacity, the head is spaced apart from the top plate such that liquid discharged from the outlet and the channel is sprayed between the float and the hole to horizontally travel across the top plate toward an edge and to fall off the edge onto the filter.
 20. The liquid dispenser of claim 19, wherein a surface defining the channel includes vertical grooves, and the stem includes at least two protrusions that insert into and slide up and down in the grooves.
 21. The liquid dispenser of claim 19, wherein an upper surface of the top plate is inclined upward from an outer end of a rim of the hole toward the hole, the upper surface has a constant upward inclination from the outer end of the rim toward the edge, and the edge has a curved corner. 